Journey to Ixtlan

The poem “The Sacrifice” was inspired by events in the book “The Stand” by Steven King. Glen Bateman, Ralph Brentner, and Larry Underwood are all killed in the last portion of the book. Obstinately their deaths create the scenario that kills off the main bad guy. A character later states that God wants sacrifices, and because of this, his hands are quite bloody. Did God really need to kill off these likable characters as a sacrifice, and if he didn’t get his gallons of blood, would the bad guy have won? Who knows.


The Sacrifice

The sacrifice must be made
the blood spilled to mark the day
lest the gods both good and bad
feel unwanted by mere man

deities remain steadfast
when attention turns to them
by the edge of cutting knife
or the coin from the purse

a gentle shower is not enough
be it crimson or made of gold
when attentions must surely flow
stating purpose from the soul

lives laid down in consequence
by believers or the lost
the latter being enemies
now made worthy in their ends

all this done in name of greed
for squalid treasures near at hand
enough to fill a million chests
these are the boon of all transgress

so ask for blessings both low and high
knowing gods have their price
the sacrifice made today
will coat the hands of deity.

© 2019. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20190121.