“So I looked, and behold, a pale horse.

And the name of him who sat on it was Death,

and Hell followed with him...”

—Revelation 6:8a

         

I draw near to the Light.

Put to death the old man. Starve

the attention seeker; the searcher

of the unfaithful

for personal lust. I will set apart

the slave of fervor

for the meat grinder.

   

I take refuge in the holy hill.

Stomp out the dynamite. Obliterate

the hot-headed outlaw; he who murders

in his heart

with howls of fury. I will flood

the flames of rampage

with the blood of the Lamb.

   

I cry out to my Shield from the tomb.

Slay the prideful one. Abolish

the Byronic hero; he who relies

on his own

strength to erase the past. I will wield

the sword of the Spirit

who lifts up my head.