<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466</id><updated>2011-07-08T04:20:07.088-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Fata Viam Invenient</title><subtitle type='html'>Collected Corpus of Susurrus Din
MMX</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>19</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-2811024821207589278</id><published>2010-03-13T07:02:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-03-13T07:03:48.215-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Till Death do us part...?</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"&gt;To Ogdred Weary&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With this ring, I do thee wed&lt;br /&gt;O, how I shall rejoice when thou art dead&lt;br /&gt;Why I may even caper, gambol, or dance&lt;br /&gt;Now, how do like your tea,&lt;br /&gt;with arsenic, two lumps, and cream?&lt;br /&gt;Why not go out for a stroll, go on go,&lt;br /&gt;I’ll meet you presently beneath the wheels of my auto&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With my body, I do thee worship,&lt;br /&gt;If not a stumble, why not a slip&lt;br /&gt;Down, down the winding stairs,&lt;br /&gt;Why I haven’t care if you are interred alive&lt;br /&gt;In a mausoleum, sepulcher, or crypt besides?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;While it be not my intention to engender suspicion,&lt;br /&gt;Might I at least explain my odd manner and diction?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I may account for that dagger in my armoire drawer on Tuesday last,&lt;br /&gt;As for the pistol in the marmalade, there has been a rash&lt;br /&gt;of rabid, wily shrews&lt;br /&gt;infesting the surrounding glade and mews&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A noose?&lt;br /&gt;Preposterous, it is a bell pull plain to see,&lt;br /&gt;Now won’t you slip your head in and give it a ring?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That West Indies adder on the pantry floor,&lt;br /&gt;was an escaped zoological specimen from Kuala Lumpur.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And with all my worldly goods I thee endow,&lt;br /&gt;Yet to flee under the cover of night, my beloved bride to be, this I shan’t allow!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My darling, sweetest, dearest treasure true&lt;br /&gt;Must we begin our courtship anew?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What of the chocolates, flowers, walks and choice wines?&lt;br /&gt;Or am I to infer as you run, raving down the lane,&lt;br /&gt;That you most respectfully decline &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-2811024821207589278?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/2811024821207589278'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/2811024821207589278'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2010/03/till-death-do-us-part.html' title='Till Death do us part...?'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-5468713804334830867</id><published>2009-07-30T19:45:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-02T16:24:19.605-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Damnatio memoriae</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc0000;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tide of Reaping&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;None were in wont,&lt;br /&gt;As all manner of viand did the earth offer forth,&lt;br /&gt;In matchless plentitude.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Pestilence nor sword wert no master,&lt;br /&gt;wizened they became,&lt;br /&gt;by the years swift passage.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So alike the gods were they,&lt;br /&gt;Twas in repose alone,&lt;br /&gt;they became,&lt;br /&gt;Spirit guardians for their brethren&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Under Saturn’s hand, prosperity flourished all told,&lt;br /&gt;These were the times, in the times of Gold&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tide of Sowing&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Centurion child,&lt;br /&gt;Toil wilt thou taste.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Against thy brother, against the wilds,&lt;br /&gt;for your fare, ye shall now contest.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Jupiter decrees&lt;br /&gt;Death shall be your lot,&lt;br /&gt;For the worship ye denied.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;By the north sun that scorches,&lt;br /&gt;By the tempest, thy flesh wilt quiver&lt;br /&gt;These were the times, in times of Silver&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tide of Destroying&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bore of ashen sprig,&lt;br /&gt;No bread they took,&lt;br /&gt;In bronze all was rendered thus&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To the very hearts housed in their chests,&lt;br /&gt;Hades became their abode when they did fall,&lt;br /&gt;Hades of the lash and of the bonds,&lt;br /&gt;These were the times, in times of Bronze&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Glory was won, when armies took the field&lt;br /&gt;Mingling the blood of the brave,&lt;br /&gt;With the tear of maid and babe hadst her sorrow too&lt;br /&gt;War was made to live in peace, it mattered not the banner,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;They were to march under- impassioned or stoic,&lt;br /&gt;These were the times, in times Heroic.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hardened men were these,&lt;br /&gt;To the sufferings of the common lot.&lt;br /&gt;The coin was the quarry,&lt;br /&gt;Their gain, and sole end&lt;br /&gt;The few wert preserved, ‘pon the lives of the dying,&lt;br /&gt;These were the times, in times of Iron.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tide of sowing,&lt;br /&gt;Tide of reaping,&lt;br /&gt;Tide of destroying,&lt;br /&gt;and that for the plan. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc0000;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc0000;"&gt;What times draw near,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc0000;"&gt;in this our hour given-&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc0000;"&gt;art we to sleep or wilt we waken?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Tide of Planning&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dispossessed of the golden times,&lt;br /&gt;we can not hope to regain,&lt;br /&gt;No more than we may vivify those scores aforementioned,&lt;br /&gt;once slain&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hence, look not to the stars, prophecy, or other portents.&lt;br /&gt;Destinies are wrought by the acts of thee and thine&lt;br /&gt;As much as by the hand of time,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As it was for our forebears of yon,&lt;br /&gt;So shall it be for our heirs to come.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-5468713804334830867?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/5468713804334830867'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/5468713804334830867'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2009/07/damnatio-memoriae.html' title='Damnatio memoriae'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-7798371907803060362</id><published>2009-03-10T18:43:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-03-16T16:16:24.329-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Obscurum per Obscurius</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:georgia;"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ff0000;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For many a month hadst I been exhuming fresh cadavers at the good doctor’s behest&lt;br /&gt;For what he so queerly termed, his empirical “tests”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Though in all my employ as his resurrectionist never did it occur,&lt;br /&gt;That I collected such a specimen, so very singular.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In spite of being less than a fortnight immured,&lt;br /&gt;This corse was black as sable,&lt;br /&gt;And withered so,&lt;br /&gt;as if ‘twere a thousand, thousand years interred&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Possessing none of those tell tale charnel aromas,&lt;br /&gt;Suffusing the room with rather,&lt;br /&gt;Faint notes of mercury, salt, and sulphur&lt;br /&gt;Without delay I dispatched the paige across the moors,&lt;br /&gt;To fetch the doctor here posthaste, he willingly suffered.  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Would that I not dismissed my sole company,&lt;br /&gt;For upon my return to that room wherein the body lied,&lt;br /&gt;Such a turn did I have by what I next espied&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That very same corse which was only a moment prior,&lt;br /&gt;as I mentioned,&lt;br /&gt;So strangely blackened,&lt;br /&gt;Wert now stark white- eerily iridescent.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nearer yet I brought the taper,&lt;br /&gt;To ensure confounded senses hath not erred&lt;br /&gt;Lo, white it was,&lt;br /&gt;upon my soul, as alabaster fair&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A jot of bitters would steady my nerves, I so reasoned&lt;br /&gt;Quitting the room for but an instant nary&lt;br /&gt;To mine mantle for mine flask I withdrew,&lt;br /&gt;without tarry&lt;br /&gt;Whereupon the hovels center I gained,&lt;br /&gt;Astonied I was to behold&lt;br /&gt;That body, that body hadst yet again changed&lt;br /&gt;Now nearly sanguine in hue&lt;br /&gt;Though all this time that corse lay stone still-&lt;br /&gt;It didst not move.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now, it is just such rural environs&lt;br /&gt;Where customs do say&lt;br /&gt;That the murderer appearance causeth&lt;br /&gt;blood to ooze forth from the bones of the slain,&lt;br /&gt;If there be sooth to these tellings,&lt;br /&gt;Which I give no credence&lt;br /&gt;It would scarcely account,&lt;br /&gt;for the whole form incarnadined thus,&lt;br /&gt;As it be witnessed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nay there are other agencies at work!&lt;br /&gt;Agencies that would consign me by designs to the furthest reaches of insanity&lt;br /&gt;Lo, what was once a balmy breeze of curiosity, piquing fancies I canst only intimate&lt;br /&gt;art now a maelstrom of the malignity,&lt;br /&gt;Blasting me off the precipice to a most ruinous fate!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My dagger flew to the ready,&lt;br /&gt;to meet mine destiny by blade point!&lt;br /&gt;I vacillating verily-&lt;br /&gt;betwixt composed disbelief and a feral mien&lt;br /&gt;took leave of my senses, and over to reverie gave in.&lt;br /&gt;Imagine, a cultivated man of the age,&lt;br /&gt;Stricken with moral vagaries as those of that cloistered ilk.&lt;br /&gt;Dagger in hand, all in a rage&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yet, as I circled round that hovel with its weird tenant,&lt;br /&gt;An otherworldly sensation pricked my flesh as it had at no other occasion.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From which nether regions, foul airs, or chthonian pit was this corse expelled?&lt;br /&gt;By whom, by what&lt;br /&gt;Be it endowed?&lt;br /&gt;To what end doth it haunt the earth anew, avenger, upon some venial misdeed begotten, long ago committed,&lt;br /&gt;though not forgotten&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I threw my hands heavenward imploring exoneration by the celestial machinery&lt;br /&gt;For these mortal remains,&lt;br /&gt;To forebear, O, forebear its ill-starred charge to claim&lt;br /&gt;Ere I couldst give utterance to this, a hand like adamantine&lt;br /&gt;seized my arm&lt;br /&gt;Arresting the feeble paroxysm of protest on my lips&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Held fast in that death pale hand all became&lt;br /&gt;golden beyond golden&lt;br /&gt;as my life force withered and waned&lt;br /&gt;Beyond golden&lt;br /&gt;Beyond golden&lt;br /&gt;Beyond golden brightly burnished&lt;br /&gt;I am no more, no more&lt;br /&gt;A psychopomp to the purpose&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What felicity I were home when the paige paid call,&lt;br /&gt;The door ajar I entered withal&lt;br /&gt;A gnarled corpse sprawled on the floor I beheld in a ghastly blackened state,&lt;br /&gt;I can only assume, this be the one my grave robber made mention,&lt;br /&gt;And the paige didst relate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What eludes my reason still to this very day,&lt;br /&gt;Is why the body was so neatly arrayed, baring one finger of the left hand,&lt;br /&gt;Pointing in the moor ward direction,&lt;br /&gt;In the semblance of a final injunction.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Twas to the moors avaunt, I first gazed on that preternatural glow,&lt;br /&gt;As I recount&lt;br /&gt;A radiant golden light bore on the ether overspreading the moors recesses &lt;br /&gt;Keeping vigil aside the night and darkness&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When gazing upon this strange sight&lt;br /&gt;these words did into my brain alight&lt;br /&gt;Nay not like a thought&lt;br /&gt;Were these words wrought.&lt;br /&gt;They were psychically summoned&lt;br /&gt;From some primeval fount&lt;br /&gt;I doth redoubt&lt;br /&gt;For weeks afterward I was told, I could do naught but repeat&lt;br /&gt;Interspersed amongst feverish rantings and wails&lt;br /&gt;Nature unaided shall fail, nature unaided shall fail&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-7798371907803060362?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/7798371907803060362'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/7798371907803060362'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2009/03/obscurum-per-obscurius.html' title='Obscurum per Obscurius'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-4710884792183728656</id><published>2008-10-05T12:24:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-10-05T12:27:32.942-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Not by the Five Wits</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ff0000;"&gt;Not by taste where they delivered.&lt;br /&gt;The acrid fear that rose in thy gullet,&lt;br /&gt;Didst lack,&lt;br /&gt;just enough,&lt;br /&gt;to dismiss—&lt;br /&gt;and enter the forest depths,&lt;br /&gt;Where I lied in wait,&lt;br /&gt;To make the first cut.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Not by sight where thou delivered.&lt;br /&gt;The path you nearly gained to hail the passing merchant,&lt;br /&gt;when gave I chase to,&lt;br /&gt;Drag you writhing back,&lt;br /&gt;into the forest.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Not by touch will thou be delivered.&lt;br /&gt;Thy feeble grappling, spirited though it was,&lt;br /&gt;could not break my hold,&lt;br /&gt;nor vouchsafe thee a coveted moments more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Not by hearing will thou be delivered.&lt;br /&gt;Pleas bore on thy final breath,&lt;br /&gt;will carry just short of the lit dwellings beyond.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What remains of you the forest shall take,&lt;br /&gt;savaged body,&lt;br /&gt;rent garment,&lt;br /&gt;hank of hair,&lt;br /&gt;Any of which wouldst suffice,&lt;br /&gt;for mob or constable to assemble,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ff0000;"&gt;were they not claimed by the winter frost.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align="left"&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ff0000;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Thaw it will in due course,&lt;br /&gt;Laying open so ghastly a scene,&lt;br /&gt;That all will pray, weep, and march forth&lt;br /&gt;Thought not afore mine next victim happen by,&lt;br /&gt;delivered.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-4710884792183728656?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/4710884792183728656'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/4710884792183728656'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/10/not-by-five-wits.html' title='Not by the Five Wits'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-7142595661023738329</id><published>2008-05-17T06:35:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-17T06:37:19.623-07:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="color:#ff0000;"&gt;Requiescat In Pace&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;P&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ierce bone, pierce flesh, and forget not the skin&lt;br /&gt;Lay bare the lair of the&lt;br /&gt;The Daemon within.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;H&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;oused in the hollows twixt mine heart and ghost&lt;br /&gt;Delectable fare for a Daemon dire, loves bastard kin,&lt;br /&gt;I am the host. I am the host.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;hen starved, rather than wither wraith-like and gaunt&lt;br /&gt;A morsel she always finds,&lt;br /&gt;Sufficient.&lt;br /&gt;Upon which to glut&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;R&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;equiescat&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;P&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;assages, proverbs art in vain forsworn.&lt;br /&gt;My paramour, again I have fallen,&lt;br /&gt;And now I must mourn&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;M&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ark the days it slumbers beneath&lt;br /&gt;Curse those that it violates and feeds&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;R&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;equiescat In,&lt;br /&gt;Requiescat In,&lt;br /&gt;Am I to be forever stricken?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;I&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ndeed, it wilt be so.&lt;br /&gt;for though every pit, every turn, all summits, and chambers of that hollow&lt;br /&gt;Me thought I wert ‘ware&lt;br /&gt;There remains another unbeknownst within that daemon lair&lt;br /&gt;Intertwined, nay not athwart&lt;br /&gt;An angel chaste too resides with&lt;br /&gt;that infernal consort&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="color:#ff0000;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;acred and profane may in one breast be, &lt;br /&gt;Henceforth, Requiescat In Pace for all eternity&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-7142595661023738329?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/7142595661023738329'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/7142595661023738329'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/05/requiescat-in-pace-p-ierce-bone-pierce.html' title=''/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-2944325023513265488</id><published>2008-02-11T19:16:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-18T10:25:01.257-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Memento Mori</title><content type='html'>&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:georgia;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;here are wolves in the wind this eve&lt;br /&gt;A fierce wind that howls&lt;br /&gt;Tormenting the horses and bending the boughs, lashing the manor with such might and main with bearing to rend the very earth right through, in twain&lt;br /&gt;From whence came this tempest, monstorous havoc-bringer?&lt;br /&gt;Look to it, atop mine chest of black poplar timber.&lt;br /&gt;Though at present I be embowered privily aloft in the tower and know this not,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;M&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ark me well, O ye of this earthen lot,&lt;br /&gt;aye, it is able of this and worse as thou wilt witness,&lt;br /&gt;afore this tale be told of dire doings,&lt;br /&gt;phantastic and ruinous.&lt;br /&gt;And so there it stood on mine chest,&lt;br /&gt;or so I wilt guess,&lt;br /&gt;As the penumbra of my chamber was pitch as the pit,&lt;br /&gt;Permitting no vision, not a hands breadth, not a cubit.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;N&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;o matter, yet&lt;br /&gt;Even without light’s ingress,&lt;br /&gt;or egress.&lt;br /&gt;this much I must confess,&lt;br /&gt;it’s innocence was soon belied by a seething force I could descry,&lt;br /&gt;as the nightish ether that compassed round it did feed upon,&lt;br /&gt;by my soul,&lt;br /&gt;a mounting nocturne whose power roiled and hissed,&lt;br /&gt;hunger for the spark, from the flint, in my fist.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;t was…. a candle, a candle it was.&lt;br /&gt;Though not of the ordinary sort, nay,&lt;br /&gt;it plainly was not.&lt;br /&gt;This candle,&lt;br /&gt;once illumined doth fortell by what manner and what moment,&lt;br /&gt;one who lit the gnarled wick wouldst enjoin the dead and depart the quick, or so legend doth purport.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;I &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;am a noble lady of the court, no seer with the sight,&lt;br /&gt;however from the first,&lt;br /&gt;this candle’s queer origins ‘twere enough to stir affright&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;C&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ondemned in grimoire’s most malefic volumes, unlettered though I was in their glyphs and sorcery,&lt;br /&gt;I wit enough to gather, this item were shunned by even the most perverse seeker of esoterica like a pestilence and no mere token of chance and folly.&lt;br /&gt;Further lore would tell of an accursed criminal hung from the gallows and later quartered,&lt;br /&gt;whose hand, worker of woe that it was,&lt;br /&gt;had been rendered,&lt;br /&gt;each finger to tallow.&lt;br /&gt;Of the other four their whereabouts are no wise known, though all met unseemly ends amongst those,&lt;br /&gt;whom did they own.&lt;br /&gt;This candle, the witching finger, is all that remains and it is this, as fate permits, I shalt attain.&lt;br /&gt;It art mine, and mine alone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;E&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;nterprising I was, wanton I became&lt;br /&gt;To possess it, this my boon and this my bane.&lt;br /&gt;Dreadful white has begun to steal into my stately tresses, once a luxurious sable.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;retched lines have etched themselves into my comely lineaments,&lt;br /&gt;formerly smooth as Grecian marble.&lt;br /&gt;The bloom of health by whose scent I were once suffused,&lt;br /&gt;Hadst cruelly retracted all it had lent.&lt;br /&gt;At two score years no amount of riches from the regal coffers could stay these carnal changes, nor allay these fears.&lt;br /&gt;What of this enchanted candle, I wondered on and on,&lt;br /&gt;What of the knowing of my end that it may proffer?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;hus resolved, lives and misery were bought and sold as was my wont, as was my cause,&lt;br /&gt;Forget this not,&lt;br /&gt;treachery can be the coin of the realm for one bedecked with royal helm.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;hough not until the candle’s final keeper, a magus sequestered in sylvan hermitage, fens of mysteries deep and evil deeper,&lt;br /&gt;was paid call,&lt;br /&gt;did the candle give up its secrets and mine will ensnare evermore,&lt;br /&gt;in its throes and binding thrall.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;n times afore, my henchmen’s daggers would well open tender throats, yet ere this magus life’s blood suffused his rainment with deathly burnish,&lt;br /&gt;twas with these grave words my retinue were furnished.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;he last of the five, the sigel of he who with all fortune lies!” and plunged gilded athame into his own breast, censuring any further inquiry, any behest&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;M&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;adman and wood though he be, this only further vexed sensibilities.&lt;br /&gt;For sooth, of fortunes he spoke,&lt;br /&gt;Confirming the corpus,&lt;br /&gt;musty scrolls and texts over which I poured – this candle, this darkly fetish, presages the means to the holder’s impending fortune.&lt;br /&gt;Though lurking in my bosom deep,&lt;br /&gt;seat of mine suffering where dread suspect doth claw forth&lt;br /&gt;that this candle held other Arcanum,&lt;br /&gt;other ends it worketh towards.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;II&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:georgia;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:georgia;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;T&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;here it sat ‘pon my chest,&lt;br /&gt;With a stillness almost sepulchral&lt;br /&gt;There I huddled in my chamber recesses,&lt;br /&gt;Crouched in form, maddened of mind,&lt;br /&gt;Flint fragments turning over and over in my feverish hands in meter to the torturous time,&lt;br /&gt;Of that power emanating creeping forth from that candle, cursed candle,&lt;br /&gt;I could sense it with every fiber I wert conceived.&lt;br /&gt;There in the darkness, I dare not wonder how&lt;br /&gt;Wroth became the candle, it surely did, as I live and breathe.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;T&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;hese ponderings summoned that susurrus to redouble sure, as upon the gloom it fed and fed&lt;br /&gt;The candle swore that all my yearnings for fortunes true and fortunes yet unmade, it would propitiate,&lt;br /&gt;If only that wick I were to immolate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;A &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;great restlessness possessed my frame,&lt;br /&gt;Still in my hand, the flint scourged my palm flesh as it was turned, as it was turned, as it was turned.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;R&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ings of beryl, jacinth,&lt;br /&gt;And ambergris-scented silks,&lt;br /&gt;noble lineage,&lt;br /&gt;title, and lands crowned.&lt;br /&gt;Of what use be these?&lt;br /&gt;When mine turrets crumble and portraits rot,&lt;br /&gt;My die wilt still be cast,&lt;br /&gt;In that common repose, I, as all am doomed to lie&lt;br /&gt;Am I not?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;I&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/span&gt;dare wonder no longer.&lt;br /&gt;Across my darkened abode I strode candle-wards in spite,&lt;br /&gt;Of that wretched candle,&lt;br /&gt;Faerie spire or devils pike in the shadows it felt the same, alike.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;he sparks leapt from the flint, forged in the furnace of my lusts&lt;br /&gt;In the fires of desire, with reason left for dross&lt;br /&gt;I am at a loss at to how with no draft present with guttering, with becoming&lt;br /&gt;that flame did blaze, as by law it now must.&lt;br /&gt;This was no light of welcome and balmy warmth,&lt;br /&gt;not that of the coming dawn or the well-tended hearth.&lt;br /&gt;More akin the light of Rapture,&lt;br /&gt;A thousand thrones.&lt;br /&gt;that which smites as wrath incarnate.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;III&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;O&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;wing to that candles eerie spell,&lt;br /&gt;As a foundling calf at the abattoir’s entry doth arrest,&lt;br /&gt;owing to the rawness of its own fear.&lt;br /&gt;So didst my limbs go rigid, as by catalepsy or fit,&lt;br /&gt;All together vapid.&lt;br /&gt;while my eyes could stare&lt;br /&gt;While my ears to hear&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;H&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ow to relate a light that does not illuminate&lt;br /&gt;Rather decays the very darkness, in a cry so shrill as to pierce both plate and mail&lt;br /&gt;To lay bare this scene,&lt;br /&gt;lit just so,&lt;br /&gt;on my chamber walls with an enchanted gleam.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;M&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;y fortune that magus presaged,&lt;br /&gt;Was the end to my mortal suffering,&lt;br /&gt;What’s more,&lt;br /&gt;‘twere not in many distant days in a time of wisened age,&lt;br /&gt;Where my hopes be hung,&lt;br /&gt;To my horror, that candle foretold within its dimly glowing portal,&lt;br /&gt;That my very chamber with every content taken into account, shalt be my rest and requiem sung.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;M&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;y chest of black poplar and myself, still as stone and facing front I last saw.&lt;br /&gt;Darkness didst its dominion regain, no quarter given, as if over the chamber a heavy pall were lain.&lt;br /&gt;Quietus, Quietus,&lt;br /&gt;Strains of that shrillness, the tempest flown&lt;br /&gt;still hang in the vacant chamber heard by none,&lt;br /&gt;Alas, I hast already passed on, a westering sun.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;hall I tell you the tale of one maiden’s woe&lt;br /&gt;Penned in avarice and signed by ruth&lt;br /&gt;Shall I tell her deeds and doings?&lt;br /&gt;and what were sown?&lt;br /&gt;Then let it be so, consider it told.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-2944325023513265488?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/2944325023513265488/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=2944325023513265488&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/2944325023513265488'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/2944325023513265488'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/memento-mori.html' title='Memento Mori'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-8619009781521916929</id><published>2008-02-05T20:08:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-12T06:27:37.568-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Pride comes before the Fall, Avenge, Avenge</title><content type='html'>&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;P&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ride before the Fall- Avenge, Avenge&lt;br /&gt;I Medea, recite this incantation,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;T&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;his retribution, for my love,&lt;br /&gt;my betrayer,&lt;br /&gt;my Jason.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;V&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ile, loathsome serpent farewell,&lt;br /&gt;farewell my enemy.&lt;br /&gt;May his winged minions hasten you to the grave.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ave your deceit and lies, and have this bejeweled robe for thy adulterous bride.&lt;br /&gt;Raiment as fair, as my curse,&lt;br /&gt;to burn and tear her fine skin less none but lepers will with she converse.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ell I know that for this sin,&lt;br /&gt;awaits Hades fire dark and dim,&lt;br /&gt;burning tomb and stench of mire--&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;F&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;all with I, proud handsome sire!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;t is said that Hell hath no fury like the woman scorned,&lt;br /&gt;and so it shall be written for an eternity more,&lt;br /&gt;Hell hath no fury as my vengeance,&lt;br /&gt;upon our first born.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-8619009781521916929?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/8619009781521916929/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=8619009781521916929&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/8619009781521916929'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/8619009781521916929'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/pride-comes-before-fall-avenge-avenge.html' title='Pride comes before the Fall, Avenge, Avenge'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-613144538204515013</id><published>2008-02-05T19:57:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-10T04:28:28.000-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Through the Looking Glass</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6kwcHn1rhI/AAAAAAAAAB0/8Q6e3dwqWCc/s1600-h/Window.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163711707397598738" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6kwcHn1rhI/AAAAAAAAAB0/8Q6e3dwqWCc/s400/Window.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-613144538204515013?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/613144538204515013/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=613144538204515013&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/613144538204515013'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/613144538204515013'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/outside-looking-in.html' title='Through the Looking Glass'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp0.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6kwcHn1rhI/AAAAAAAAAB0/8Q6e3dwqWCc/s72-c/Window.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-4851146232058379492</id><published>2008-02-05T19:44:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-10T04:27:50.258-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Fallen, even in Victory</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6ktcXn1rfI/AAAAAAAAABk/zl5lYb6nQek/s1600-h/100_3309.JPG"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163708413157682674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6ktcXn1rfI/AAAAAAAAABk/zl5lYb6nQek/s400/100_3309.JPG" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-4851146232058379492?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/4851146232058379492/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=4851146232058379492&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/4851146232058379492'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/4851146232058379492'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/blog-post.html' title='Fallen, even in Victory'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6ktcXn1rfI/AAAAAAAAABk/zl5lYb6nQek/s72-c/100_3309.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-5823038661795157833</id><published>2008-02-05T09:49:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-12T06:29:13.322-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Parting wishes of a Taphophile</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;W&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;hether it be many a winter hence or afore dawn’s next advent,&lt;br /&gt;My rose once in bloom must wither too, at a time not of my bidding.&lt;br /&gt;No matter mine end I do meet, by ire’s hand or idyllic sleep&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;P&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;rithee, compose no poesy on my account or verses of ruth,&lt;br /&gt;May my days be penned in meekness, temperance and sooth.&lt;br /&gt;Light not a candle or the censer to burn,&lt;br /&gt;For my torch, For my torch, is already upturned&lt;br /&gt;Construct no monoliths, statuary, or bust to venerate&lt;br /&gt;My columns lies a broken, and can bear none such weight.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;F&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;estoon my tomb not with pall, crepe, or such like gloom.&lt;br /&gt;I shant be there to care or abjure,&lt;br /&gt;Though may providence grant, though may providence grant, my deeds endure.&lt;br /&gt;I say, if dust be my destiny, may these words, may these wishes, now and forevermore be my legacy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;R&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ather a simple stone wilt do, testament to a hale mason’s labours.&lt;br /&gt;Deft of chisel,&lt;br /&gt;and ring of a hammer true.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;W&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ith Ivy circled ‘round for the fellowships dear&lt;br /&gt;A glass with a few grains yet to fall, so that passersby’s&lt;br /&gt;may give mind, rather than tear.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;O&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ne final desire that I fain be granted, this above all else&lt;br /&gt;May Hands clasped adorn that stone, eternally bound unto themselves.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;hile etched in relief&lt;br /&gt;Shalt be,&lt;br /&gt;Sin qua non&lt;br /&gt;in grand flourishe and seriphs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;F&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;or the love of mine life,&lt;br /&gt;Nay love in life,&lt;br /&gt;‘tis better than woe and grief.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-5823038661795157833?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/5823038661795157833/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=5823038661795157833&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/5823038661795157833'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/5823038661795157833'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/parting-wishes-of-taphophile.html' title='Parting wishes of a Taphophile'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-6407256124418372063</id><published>2008-02-05T09:48:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-12T18:12:38.885-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Angelicus Maleficus</title><content type='html'>&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;L&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ame and with palsied limbs,&lt;br /&gt;As the errant once more,&lt;br /&gt;This rubicon I began.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;T&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;o roam this mobius strip with its contours&lt;br /&gt;Of ice and razors&lt;br /&gt;Purged may I be by my labors.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;N&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;o matter how the farther, I may seeketh to maunder,&lt;br /&gt;Only to be cast before the same daemon,&lt;br /&gt;Fettered in manacles of my own making.&lt;br /&gt;Diabolical you are-&lt;br /&gt;Travesty of my hunger, failings, and vice,&lt;br /&gt;I am monstorous and must sacrifice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ncorruptible by oath or penance,&lt;br /&gt;I chanced to see if she were versed in vengeance!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;nd so raised that blade,&lt;br /&gt;Sword of my conviction,&lt;br /&gt;Cursed and keen,&lt;br /&gt;And oh, my eye did such a maddened lilt,&lt;br /&gt;As my fist coiled round that rugose hilt.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;rought of my wrath and tempered by sedition,&lt;br /&gt;‘twas this instrument of mine redemption.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;T&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;his very one I was forever sharpening,&lt;br /&gt;Yet dare not unsheathe,&lt;br /&gt;Grew thirsty and thirstier still,&lt;br /&gt;by garnered belief.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;nd lo, that thirst was dually staunched,&lt;br /&gt;As I drove that cutting edge into the soft, scaly, underbelly of that hellion,&lt;br /&gt;Sex and hoary haunch betwixt.&lt;br /&gt;Undulant and surreptitious to the last,&lt;br /&gt;I dispatched her hellward,&lt;br /&gt;Giving that blade a&lt;br /&gt;Savage,&lt;br /&gt;Savage&lt;br /&gt;Twist.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;T&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;hen with my slaying hand still steamin’ red,&lt;br /&gt;And my nemesis laid low as a babe in the bed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;t long last, I may begin to&lt;br /&gt;Love,&lt;br /&gt;casting my sights fugue-like to the ascendancy above.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-6407256124418372063?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/6407256124418372063/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=6407256124418372063&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/6407256124418372063'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/6407256124418372063'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/angelicus-maleficus.html' title='Angelicus Maleficus'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-5350933047918201076</id><published>2008-02-05T07:13:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-06-02T21:15:17.327-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Ignis Fattus</title><content type='html'>&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;U&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;p and up the craggy keep, my very ghost wouldst I glady give,&lt;br /&gt;for a quarter’s sleep.&lt;br /&gt;Nigh a league from the tavern door,&lt;br /&gt;that pub, Le nepenthe, of local fame.&lt;br /&gt;Tame was the evening with nothing a foot, less the customary revelry and yelling.&lt;br /&gt;Yet there was no telling, as to why my teeth were set gnashing and icy sweat had broken from brow to nape.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;h! abate this folly and suspect.&lt;br /&gt;Pay mind to the slumber and succor that awaits, but footsteps more.&lt;br /&gt;I summon thy imagination and fantasy, the five wits fe,&lt;br /&gt;as I recount what chanced at—&lt;br /&gt;Forgotten Fief.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;V&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;erily, ever sithen,&lt;br /&gt;its infamies were enlivened,&lt;br /&gt;by the whispers of wary children, told unto the witching hour,&lt;br /&gt;so feared was its power,&lt;br /&gt;that in all the centuries prior of our hamlets and our boroughs,&lt;br /&gt;no soul would lay claim to this dread swamp,&lt;br /&gt;not for herd,&lt;br /&gt;not for furrow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; dare say ‘twas nigh Le Nepenthe way, that me step were fastly stayed, when I first beheld in the bowels of Forgotten fief,&lt;br /&gt;that lapis flame emanated that stalking, haunting light.&lt;br /&gt;Of neither smoke nor sound it gavest none, only a bewitching entreaty were proffered.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;hat from my path I shall exhume and to my current journey, by the by I may resume.&lt;br /&gt;With a trembling step I crossed myself and that domain frequented by sorcery and those whom Death was not their final way.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;F&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;amiliars, undines and goblin-kind&lt;br /&gt;frequent these gloomy fens, sithen no one know when.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;E&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;mbroiled in the foulness and offal of that swamp, unto that flame sublime was I brought with each labored lunge,&lt;br /&gt;still failing to expunge my festering revulsion that this flame could issue benevolent light and malevolent darkness part for part.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;N&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;evertheless, desirth me heart,&lt;br /&gt;that remote and joyous mount,&lt;br /&gt;that unlike Dante’s unfledged climb, I shalt surmount.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;he garish debauch of Le Nepenthe on its retreating knoll assumed the somber tone of the elegy’s knell.&lt;br /&gt;Grim portent that from among the quick here,&lt;br /&gt;I was starkly lone,&lt;br /&gt;no other of the flesh,&lt;br /&gt;no other of the bone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;N&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ow on knees and hands through this putridity, brought low as a purifactory, just as my viscera screamed from strain I had arrived at that risen tabernacle, august and aflame.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;anctum sanctorum, endow me to the utterance!&lt;br /&gt;Philosophus per ignum!&lt;br /&gt;thy art sacred and vital to mine desire,&lt;br /&gt;when I commit myself, to thee in sacrificial rite,&lt;br /&gt;on this most hallowed of nights.&lt;br /&gt;Agent of alchemy that through ablution grants gold,&lt;br /&gt;by my offering forsworn,&lt;br /&gt;elevate my crude form!”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;plunged into that blue flame, Promethean bold, by the morass of the swamp was I engulfed, that flame had fled.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;B&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;y the fire was I fooled, my soul forfeit,&lt;br /&gt;Evermore I be married to the deep of my brackish crypt.&lt;br /&gt;That flame freed by pact consummated,&lt;br /&gt;did flit ether-ward unto the elements it hath propitiated.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;‘&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;was the will o’ the wisps, though the will was not mine,&lt;br /&gt;I trained my stare on Le Nepenthe there,&lt;br /&gt;Alike the fief my fate is to be forgotten and unseen.&lt;br /&gt;Darkly mire seeped into my mouth to stifle the scream,And quench the fire.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-5350933047918201076?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/5350933047918201076/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=5350933047918201076&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/5350933047918201076'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/5350933047918201076'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/ignis-fattus.html' title='Ignis Fattus'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-195548916937197636</id><published>2008-02-05T07:07:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-05T07:08:44.421-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Towards Babylon</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6h75Xn1raI/AAAAAAAAAA4/i5P8LBSLzIY/s1600-h/the+great+serpent.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163513198304144802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6h75Xn1raI/AAAAAAAAAA4/i5P8LBSLzIY/s400/the+great+serpent.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-195548916937197636?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/195548916937197636/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=195548916937197636&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/195548916937197636'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/195548916937197636'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/towards-babylon.html' title='Towards Babylon'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp0.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6h75Xn1raI/AAAAAAAAAA4/i5P8LBSLzIY/s72-c/the+great+serpent.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-203114403473387317</id><published>2008-02-05T06:55:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-12T18:25:01.116-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Who the Artisan?</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;ghast sped the scion of Paris paramour,&lt;br /&gt;A paramour who in amorous surrender,&lt;br /&gt;Did author Archean and Trojan ruin,&lt;br /&gt;As valiant and vanquished alike,&lt;br /&gt;Were to their makers rendered.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;his maiden in flight, towards all parts she whirled and dashed,&lt;br /&gt;Clutching this visitation of violence ‘pon her breast,&lt;br /&gt;‘twas a crescent cut crimson slash,&lt;br /&gt;That ran red.&lt;br /&gt;Besetting the verdure beneath her feet,&lt;br /&gt;Without mercy, without surcease.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;R&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;eprieve, not forthcoming,&lt;br /&gt;Her sufferance was a-turning,&lt;br /&gt;in the crucibles&lt;br /&gt;Cruel flame, a-burning,&lt;br /&gt;Yet her lips parted not,&lt;br /&gt;‘Twas her silence that reigned undaunted.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;B&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;esides reasoned she,&lt;br /&gt;What needs to loosen agonies scream,&lt;br /&gt;When alabaster hand can assume the aspect,&lt;br /&gt;Of alabaster wing?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;T&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;his pain is a penance seemly, as such&lt;br /&gt;Should be born meekly,&lt;br /&gt;As martyrs of old met the flail and rack,&lt;br /&gt;Wouldst yield with a bow, so will I allow,&lt;br /&gt;Mouth to become beak of saffron shade,&lt;br /&gt;Crowned by sable ‘pon the brow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;N&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ot sorcery most foul,&lt;br /&gt;Or the devil’s craft,&lt;br /&gt;That corporeal self transmute,&lt;br /&gt;To plumage of snowy hue,&lt;br /&gt;For to aft.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;V&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;erbage that she trod afore gave way to asphodel plain,&lt;br /&gt;That with thirsty ardour doth lap the sanguinary offerings of that wound,&lt;br /&gt;A scarlet and white omen of finality which,&lt;br /&gt;Petal by petal bore.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;S&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;till to utter nothing, not a sound nor sigh, even with her end manifest and palpably nigh,&lt;br /&gt;An end so nigh,&lt;br /&gt;The most bewitching enticement of all to hasten cloaked figure,&lt;br /&gt;Swathed in somber dethers hence to lay claim.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;hose very entry into asphodel bower from primeval hinterland and into plain sight,&lt;br /&gt;puts all goodly agencies to flight.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;N&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;one other than he who draws the shroud,&lt;br /&gt;On this our lifes pageant and theatre,&lt;br /&gt;We all share the stage with He,&lt;br /&gt;Though we seldom pause to consider.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ith hourglass expired and keen scythe&lt;br /&gt;Trailing her blood in halcyonic meter,&lt;br /&gt;Into His icy limbs, the swan pitched,&lt;br /&gt;heavy and hushed as a stone,&lt;br /&gt;The strength she had heretofore known,&lt;br /&gt;Had anon flown.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;S&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;upine creature, guard thy ghost,&lt;br /&gt;For His fleshless visage skulks towards thee,&lt;br /&gt;Breath close,&lt;br /&gt;From deaths fathomless aperture this aphorism was expelled with sardonic scowl,&lt;br /&gt;In a voice to like a cataracts howl,&lt;br /&gt;Sensed the swan with prescient doom,&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;hen Death sleeps my dear, He dreams of you.”&lt;br /&gt;Her back convulsed in a fit again and again without rest,&lt;br /&gt;Wracking her lithe frame, as if in Saint Vitus dance her body were possessed,&lt;br /&gt;How nails and teeth rend garments rendered incarnadine by Death’s accord,&lt;br /&gt;For in Death this maiden thought herself swan no more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;H&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ow at long last,&lt;br /&gt;Her sentence that had for ages endured,&lt;br /&gt;Was lifted, Fortuna conferred.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;W&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;ho the artisan!,” she cried,&lt;br /&gt;with her last modicum of main,&lt;br /&gt;and with that her life’s thread were wrested twain.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;t hearing this the heavenly sovereign,&lt;br /&gt;The daemon’s govern,&lt;br /&gt;and all that lay betwixt,&lt;br /&gt;stilled for a moment’s passing,&lt;br /&gt;before taking up their charges just the same,&lt;br /&gt;being versed too well in the triviality,&lt;br /&gt;of this ever-lasting refrain.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;L&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;eave us withdraw from this perverse pieta-&lt;br /&gt;Maiden and Death joined until judgment on another ‘morrow,&lt;br /&gt;This scene imbued by this swan song,&lt;br /&gt;Reliquary for a maiden’s sorrow.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:180%;"&gt;L&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;eave us witdraw before too long,&lt;br /&gt;Never to know if her glossololia,&lt;br /&gt;Hailed from a known or foreign tongue.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-203114403473387317?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/203114403473387317/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=203114403473387317&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/203114403473387317'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/203114403473387317'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/02/who-artisan.html' title='Who the Artisan?'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-5476978519960378645</id><published>2008-01-31T06:53:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2008-01-31T06:53:55.017-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The Mourning</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6Hg8Xn1rZI/AAAAAAAAAAk/nxzykP0e9Tw/s1600-h/The+Mourning.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161653975681183122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6Hg8Xn1rZI/AAAAAAAAAAk/nxzykP0e9Tw/s400/The+Mourning.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-5476978519960378645?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/5476978519960378645/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=5476978519960378645&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/5476978519960378645'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/5476978519960378645'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/01/mourning.html' title='The Mourning'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6Hg8Xn1rZI/AAAAAAAAAAk/nxzykP0e9Tw/s72-c/The+Mourning.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-4150436042576498227</id><published>2008-01-31T06:50:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2008-01-31T06:50:56.532-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The Ascension</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6HgLXn1rYI/AAAAAAAAAAc/bOvKP-PQ_Nk/s1600-h/the+ascension.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161653133867593090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6HgLXn1rYI/AAAAAAAAAAc/bOvKP-PQ_Nk/s400/the+ascension.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-4150436042576498227?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/4150436042576498227/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=4150436042576498227&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/4150436042576498227'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/4150436042576498227'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/01/ascension.html' title='The Ascension'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp1.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6HgLXn1rYI/AAAAAAAAAAc/bOvKP-PQ_Nk/s72-c/the+ascension.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-2627300799512520624</id><published>2008-01-31T06:48:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-01-31T06:49:37.483-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Manacles of our Making, Manacles of our Maker</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6Hf13n1rXI/AAAAAAAAAAU/TKXlSfnhl3U/s1600-h/Chains+II.jpg"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161652764500405618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6Hf13n1rXI/AAAAAAAAAAU/TKXlSfnhl3U/s400/Chains+II.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-2627300799512520624?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/2627300799512520624/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=2627300799512520624&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/2627300799512520624'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/2627300799512520624'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/01/manacles-of-our-making-manacles-of-our.html' title='Manacles of our Making, Manacles of our Maker'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://bp3.blogger.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/R6Hf13n1rXI/AAAAAAAAAAU/TKXlSfnhl3U/s72-c/Chains+II.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-7455485129032522004</id><published>2008-01-30T12:17:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-02-12T18:25:35.839-08:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:georgia;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; man was born who with urge to do ill was so bedeviled,&lt;br /&gt;With vitium his heart were branded thus,&lt;br /&gt;Thereafter vitium ‘twere his mettle.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;A&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; man was born, virtus upon his stolid brow were placed,&lt;br /&gt;Goodly acts were the means by which he sought grace.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;P&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;rithee, mine mortal hosts,&lt;br /&gt;In this our perpetual agon,&lt;br /&gt;All fated inscriptions besides,&lt;br /&gt;Who durst claim this pair,&lt;br /&gt;Differs so very much from one another,&lt;br /&gt;From thou or from I?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-7455485129032522004?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/7455485129032522004/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=7455485129032522004&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/7455485129032522004'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/7455485129032522004'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/01/man-was-born-who-with-urge-to-do-ill.html' title=''/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154932581611124466.post-734419627543094388</id><published>2008-01-30T12:11:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-06-29T09:50:27.456-07:00</updated><title type='text'>What I shall be, if I never was</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:georgia;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;I&lt;/span&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;did a deed, by which I killed,&lt;br /&gt;Yet all transpired,&lt;br /&gt;As intended, by greater will&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;"&gt;O&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, for that deed, crafty and treachery didst I enlist&lt;br /&gt;As a result,&lt;br /&gt;I would not exist&lt;/span&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6154932581611124466-734419627543094388?l=susurrusdin.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/feeds/734419627543094388/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6154932581611124466&amp;postID=734419627543094388&amp;isPopup=true' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/734419627543094388'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/6154932581611124466/posts/default/734419627543094388'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://susurrusdin.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-i-shall-be-if-i-never-was.html' title='What I shall be, if I never was'/><author><name>Susurrus Din</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/06378290826384435219</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FNyKH-OD5k8/StM6COe6DGI/AAAAAAAABmo/CMcX_719IwI/S220/I+got+a+new+rose.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
