The Lamia

The scent grows richer

He knows he must be near

He finds a long passageway

Lit by chandelier

Each step he takes

The perfumes change

From familiar fragrance

To flavors strange

A magnificent chamber

Meets his eye

Inside, a long rose water pool

Is shrouded by fine mist

Stepping in the moist silence

With a warm breeze he's gently kissed

Thinking he is quite alone

He enters the room, as if it were his own

But ripples on the sweet pink water

Reveal some company unthought of

Rael stands astonished

Doubting his sight

Struck by beauty

Gripped in fright

Three vermilion snakes

Of female face

The smallest motion

Filled with grace

Muted melodies

Fill the echoing hall

But there is no sign of warning

In the siren's call"Rael welcomeWe are the Lamia of the poolWe have been waitingFor our waters to bring you cool"

Putting fear beside him

He trusts in beauty blind

He slips into the nectar

Leaving his shredded clothes behind

With their tongues

They test, taste and judge all that is mine

They move in a series of caresses

That glide up and down my spine

As they nibble the fruit of my flesh

I feel no pain

Only a magic

That a name would stain

With the first drop

Of my blood in their veins

Their faces are convulsed

In mortal pains

The fairest cries, "We allHave loved you Rael'"

Each empty snakelike body floats

Silent sorrow in empty boats

A sickly sourness fills the room

The bitter harvest of a dying bloom

Looking for motion

I know I will not find

I stroke the curls now turning pale

In which I'd lain entwined

O Lamia, your flesh that remains

I will take as my food

It is the scent of garlic that lingers

On my chocolate fingers

Looking behind me

The water turns icy blue

The lights are dimmed

And once again the stage is set for you