Rood On Skull Hill

Rood On Skull Hill
© Surazeus
2024 01 22

Pilfered from broken chest Pandora lost, 
my fears wander lost in vast maze of myths, 
searching for idol of some awesome god 
to imbue with numinous consciousness 
till I come to Rood on Skull Hill that weeps 
with anguish for the man unjustly killed. 

Not for the living lost in pretty dreams 
will I sing heart-wrenching angst of grim truth, 
but for the dead who haunt me with bright eyes 
so they will follow me to River Styx 
where we will ride in Boat of Alastor 
to the Promised Land that does not exist. 

Thousands of people who are killed each day 
gather around bleeding Rood on Skull Hill 
to kneel before Rama who wields long bow, 
named Sharanga for justice of its strike, 
and beg for him to judge right of their cause, 
but he chases Cernunnos in dark woods. 

Luring Rama on winding road of ghosts 
to cemetery on peak of Mount Zion, 
Cernunnos transforms into Mercury 
who offers him wine in the Holy Grail, 
brewed in bubbling Cauldron of Ceridwen, 
so he drinks till rainbows beam from his brain. 

Emerging from twisted Rood on Skull Hill, 
one-eyed Odin sits on the turtle shell 
of planet Earth that spins in void of stars, 
and plays game of Go with Rama who grins 
as they fight to control the hearts and minds 
of people wandering lost in maze of myths. 

Just as it seems that neither god will win, 
twin boys Shahar and Shelim, wearing capes 
that flutter with white raven wings, appear 
from flashing starship on the pyramid, 
demanding they cease their world war at once, 
but they laugh as they combat with light sabers. 

Rising from scallop shells on ocean foam, 
Minerva and Kwannon with flowing hair 
distract Rama and Odin from combat 
and lie with them in grove of apple trees 
so Mercury plays love tunes on his lyre 
while Fairies and Apsaras dance in Eden. 

Gazing up at ancient Rood on Skull Hill, 
I gasp amazed to see its rotten limbs 
sprout twigs that writhe in leaf-fluttering limbs 
which swell with holy apples of the light, 
so I reach out to grasp sweet fruit of life, 
but Idunna slaps my hand with a smirk.