New Truth In Byzantium

New Truth In Byzantium
© Surazeus
2026 10 07

Since I find new truth in Byzantium 
in scrappy gardens of the laughing skull, 
I flirt with Death who smiles at me with eyes 
that mirror galaxies of flashing stars 
to cherish virtue of pretentious faith 
that helps me translate water song of love. 

If I should recognize my holy ghost 
who drifts among old apple trees of fate, 
I may learn secret of Byzantium 
concealed in cedar box with golden lock 
that gleams ephemeral as fragrant joy 
my love exudes while lounging by the pool. 

To measure gravity of drifting clouds 
that veil swift airplane with projective voice, 
I stand on glistening bridge of evermore 
that spans abyss of swirling arrogance 
as proof I must purchase right to exist 
from every stranger I may never meet. 

Thus I cast victimhood into the trash 
because I want to eat the shepherd pie 
while showing constellations to the child 
who wonders at the story of the snake 
who transforms into queen of bubbling wells 
because I sing on moonless summer nights. 

Entranced by how cicadas sing of light 
beneath the sprawling stars of honesty, 
I read strange omen in the eagle flight 
about the guardian of the apple tree 
who builds another bank beside the lake 
and offers loans to farmers in the dell. 

Though I have traveled far around the world 
with wings of angels tucked into my pack, 
I purchase jar of honey, and blue cheese, 
at small family store by the river bridge, 
then give my voice to stranger at the door 
who gives me book of grief to keep the score. 

Reprising sacred role of global seer, 
which I perform on stage of tragedy, 
I type strange story of the hungry girl 
who walks across the field of screaming trees 
so I can understand her bitter words 
when she gives me egg of the serpent god. 

Carving spell of wisdom with demon bone 
in runes on Emerald Tablet of Untime, 
I channel energy of my brain soul 
to wake Star Ghost of Lake Ontario 
who asks me with flirtatious grin of hope 
about truth I found in Byzantium.