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Drink Your Wine Slowly

Drink your wine slowly  

Placed in the middle,
the beasts circle
Methodically pacing,
staring at me, glaring
wicked eyes, never wavering

Walls crumble,
rubble gathers 
on the outer ring
Gates laid to waste,
locks broken and shattered
All protection dissipates
I can not move for fear

Angry skies bellow
in dark cloud screams
Toxic echoes call
repeating, 
repeating, 
repeating . . .

They bare their teeth
Once mortal enemies
now a pack to incite 
I see their breath
the cold mist flows
acrid flumes swirling 

Closer they move,
smaller circles of footprints
Snow is falling,
red eyes in white flurries
Snarling at their meal,
prancing full fur

The audience chants
in a foreign tongue I kind of recognize
Waving banners bearing hearts
Cheering them on, (I think)
praising, worshipping 

I am the bait, their prey
chained to the ground
I can’t run, I can’t run
It’s fight or die
No, it’s fight and die
I am ready, I have been ready

All that I have known is lost
Voices now distant,
hands pulled aside,
faces turned in a downward direction
Beliefs rearranged,
following the fear
Laughter for the one who falls
Pointed fingers and popcorn

The forest creeps among the dying trees
Closer still they come
My heart is beating rapidly
but death will be welcome
I know I will not be alone
Once I am gone they will turn,
find another to stalk
Their hunger is too great,
never satisfied

The alpha smiles,
he knows, I know
He can’t be beaten
his stench is hatred,
his eyes see only himself
He has no mirror and needs none,
he is he and that is that matters

The pack follows orders,
they rip my flesh
A frenzy of blood and bone
I bear the pain but it is for nothing
Falling to my knees,
holding my head high, exposing my throat
Take my voice, take my words
swallow them, fill your disgusting bellies with me,
leave nothing behind

The crowd celebrates
Confetti is tossed 
filling the gaping wounds,
Covering what is left
nothing is left,
nothing remains

And as quickly as it has begun
it ends, I end, I am no more
I was nothing but a meal
Food for the wicked
Nourishment for the hate
Death to all who don’t follow

The victory dance begins,
enjoy the show, 
savor the slaughter while you can
from the safety of your chair
Anticipating the howl
beyond this frosted screen
and drink your wine slowly . . .
for you may very well
be next

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




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Date: 7/12/2017 1:27:00 PM
This is an extremely frightening poem. Not just a tale, but a metaphor for all ugliness in the world, and I've witnessed too much of that. Great poem my friend, it's fantastic!
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Chris Green
Date: 7/12/2017 1:38:00 PM
Thanks so much my friend. Yep, a metaphor for a lot of things happening anymore. I appreciate your visit.
Date: 7/12/2017 1:59:00 AM
A superb rendition, Chris. This explores the dark side of humanity. Somehow reminds me of "Lord of the Flies". Regards // paul
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Chris Green
Date: 7/12/2017 8:27:00 AM
Thanks so very much Paul for reading and commenting on this long poem.
Date: 7/12/2017 12:56:00 AM
My goodness!! Chris Green you got my poetic heart beating like?Well something!! I love the melodramatics in this poem. It really is my kind of poetry, you know, I wanted it to go on more. I did grasp the context, and it is brilliant in its sadness.A fav for sure Maria
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Chris Green
Date: 7/12/2017 8:27:00 AM
Thank you my friend. I am happy you enjoyed this lengthy dark poem. Sometimes it does feel like this.
Date: 7/11/2017 5:26:00 PM
This is a very interesting read Chris, so suspenseful, I felt like I was right there with you. Interesting your take, did you know the word sarcasm come from Greek meaning tear flesh like wild dogs. This is a nice change from your usual brilliance, don't get me wrong this is brilliant too!
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Chris Green
Date: 7/11/2017 5:37:00 PM
I didn't know that, thanks John. I learned something new today. As well, thank you for you encouraging comment on my poem. I got a little carried away with this one so I am really happy you enjoyed it my friend. Thank you again.
Date: 7/11/2017 4:31:00 PM
Aw, I don't want to be the next one. Just say you were kidding. Maybe those animals will get a good laugh and walk away and you can write more poetry! If not, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
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Chris Green
Date: 7/11/2017 4:33:00 PM
Well, I'm sure after devouring someone my size, they won't be hungry again for a while, so you have time to get away. :) Thanks for coming by Dale.
Date: 7/11/2017 3:56:00 PM
Good points, very true and written so well with the suspense of it all. Great one Chris :)
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Chris Green
Date: 7/11/2017 4:31:00 PM
Thanks so very much Heidi. I guess I let a little (a lot) of my dark side sneak out today.
Date: 7/11/2017 3:40:00 PM
You are the bro, bro, don't you know? Awesome read, my friend! In true Chris style
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Chris Green
Date: 7/11/2017 4:31:00 PM
Thanks so much Rick for hanging around to read this long winded saga. I appreciate you always be so kind to me.
Date: 7/11/2017 1:56:00 PM
This was an enthrawling read! Excellent pen my friend, gobbled up the popcorn ;) xomo
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Chris Green
Date: 7/11/2017 2:12:00 PM
Thanks again my friend, I am happy you enjoyed the refreshments. :)
Date: 7/11/2017 1:50:00 PM
Hyenas on the prowl! Kids are the worst. There are adult bullies but most grown ups know how to stifle their bully.Doing nothing is the same as attacking. Great topic and written with your usual masterful strokes.
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Chris Green
Date: 7/11/2017 2:10:00 PM
Thanks so much Daniel. You'd be surprised at the grown ups who have yet to grow up. :)
Date: 7/11/2017 1:18:00 PM
Epic piece Chris
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Chris Green
Date: 7/11/2017 1:48:00 PM
An old one but sadly still relevant. Thanks Tim.

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