aster

When you walk the Labyrinth
with nothing but a sword to swing,
you're good as dead, so give up now!
Unless, of course, you brought your...?

Alright, alright, you've come prepared.
That doesn't mean you can relax.
Go, retrace every weary step -
or will you make some wings of...?

Well done, hero, you're alive!
You sure survived a nasty scrape.
Did you finally find the door?
If so, then go ahead...:

With hard work and plucked-up birds,
you've built the wings to aid your flight;
But, just a word of caution, child:
Make sure you only leave at...!

.
.
.

Since you're home now, safe and sound,
Tell me, as I'm still not sure:
Which ordinal points out the sky?
Which ordinal points out the door?

He keeps these sharpened weapons wrapped in soft velvet, yet they are destroyed within a year.

~

From billowing curtains in a darkened theatre, this performer strikes a dazzling pose for less than a second, followed by roaring applause.

~

Two blades, wielded by three swordsmen. One cut.

Cut him down now, smaller, smaller
Pile his limbs up, taller, taller
Give him breath, he'll live again
To gobble up his former friends

~

A curious house with empty halls
White dust piles on the flaking floor
No roof above the crooked walls
The bed's rock-hard; it lacks a door
No one lives there, no one's tried
To enter would mean certain doom
Yet offerings are thrown inside
To feed the spectre in the room

~

Give me air so I can breathe it
Give me a bed so I can heat it
Give me food so you can eat it
Keep the water, I don't need it

As I roll across the sky

Not silver, white, nor gold am I

If you forget to look away

I’ll steal your sight just like your day.

~

You drag a rapier ‘cross my skin

Thin and black as coal

But I do not shout in pain, I sing

And round and round I go

~

First I slip between your toe

then I bathe in fire-glow

Not burnt or crisped, instead I grow

shapely, clear, with every blow

I'm normally a dirty flake
you pay no mind or measure
With heat and time, I'm sure you'll find
I shine bright under pressure

~

Soft, pale flesh and aged blue veins
In the dark, I grow and thrive
When I'm taken from the cold
you swallow me alive

~

My hands on my face
I slice up your presents
I swallow them whole
And come back for seconds