Swine of Gedara

Wander the weary, though formless his goal
Upon the weathered bones of some lost soul
Pale arm outstretched, right at the breach
The maw of a cave, salvation just out of reach

Its shackles fallen to rot’s division
Freedom in death, yet forever imprisoned
Lines of rust traced back like veins
To chasmic depths which forged its chains

From the chasm below, a honeyed voice sings
”Oh weary traveler, come down, live out your dreams.”
His heart did leap, he spun with a gasp
To stand over the corpse, at once entranced

”Yet how can that be? I know not what I seek”
He called to this mysterious patron of the deep
His shadow played with the burning sun
Across cavern walls, first steps already begun

”Be not afraid and ye shall find
All the knowledge held captive by the divine”
At this, with abandon, he plunged within
Forgetting all thought of the corpse that had been.

Though soon all light was lost to the press
And the weary traveler choked with distress
He began to doubt this journey’s worth
A forlorn quest beneath the earth?

As one step faltered, and the next postponed
The voice, it cried, “you’re not alone”
Its sonorous echoes lured him on
Soon joined by others in virtuous song

This harmony of sorts held off the gloom
A legion of sirens leading him off to his tomb
With each new promise his steps grew quicker
Till at last a corner, and firelight’s flicker

A dozen skeletons dancing in the flames
Circling about as they rattled their chains
On high, a pedestal, a small black mirror
To him it sang “Just come a bit nearer”

Around the ring, he took his place
And sold his soul without thought for grace
Out from darkness came a delighted squeal
Emerging from shadows, a legion revealed

From the dark siren, a final sound:
“To swine of Gedara, we are no longer bound”

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