The Lamia

The scent grows richer, he knows he must be here

He finds a long passageway lit by chandelier

Each step he takes, the perfumes change

From familiar fragrance to flavours 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 welcome, we are the Lamia of the pool

We have been waiting for 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 all have 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

"Oh 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