{"sf1_id":1926002,"sf2_id":"214qqbGe","title":"\"Death Song of the Ceruni\"","author":"MyOwnParasite","words":309,"posted_at":"2022-11-27T11:47:00.000Z","tags":["Desperation","Drugs","Faith","Fantasy","Gothic","Poetry","Redemption","desire","freedom","goddess","journey","romantic"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1926002-death-song-of-the-ceruni","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/214qqbGe","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/cc/3c/cc3ca7f2-efe7-433f-a714-e0aee5038785","description":"#5 of Poetry, both old and new\n\nI've had this recurring fantasy in my head for years recently, which resulted in the writing of my only science fiction story, \"Fireheart\". I woke up early today, and had an inspiration of the \"Samuel Coleridge\" and \"Oscar Wilde \" variety, and thus, I wrote this journey through a strange land in the style of the 19th century romantics and the infamous \"Club des Hachichins\". (The Hashish Eaters Club). I hope you enjoy what you can \"see,\" and I look forward to any thoughts.","content":"\"Death Song of the Ceruni\"\n\nBy Ken Anderson,\u0026nbsp; 27 November,\u0026nbsp; 2022\n\nIn dryest desert\u0026nbsp;\n\nLay hidden jewels,\n\nThe monuments of days gone by,  \nBeneath the holy  \nSands of Time,  \nWhere altars to the Old Gods lie,  \n  \nI found myself  \nWithout my faith,  \nAnd could not pray, for I would die,  \nWhen I awoke,  \nBeneath the palms,  \nAt the temple of the Ceruni.  \n  \nTo see their Gods,  \nSuch power and fear!  \nFor I've felt no presence as I have felt here,  \nSo strong,\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;so pure,  \nSo rich; Alive!  \nThe Gods have felt so near this night.  \n  \nI wandered in,  \nThrough sacred gardens,  \nWhich no other man had yet seemed defy,  \nAnd came upon her,  \nHer robes as the snow,  \nThe Goddess of the Ceruni.  \n  \nShe beckoned me  \nFrom silvered dome,  \nWhere she was seated,\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;upon silver throne,  \nI passed the great hemp  \nAnd red poppies which shone,  \nTo lay my eyes upon her.  \n  \n\"O Dear Goddess,\" did i cry,  \n\"Have the heart to tell me why,  \nWhen I have spent my days and nights,  \nNot quite dead, Yet not alive,  \nAm I shrouded in your Holy Light? \"  \n  \nShe gave no words,  \nBut simply smiled,  \nI, gripped by silence all the while,  \nCould find no speech  \nNor pause for thought,  \nAs she whispered lessons,\u0026nbsp;which one time, were taught.  \n  \nYou may think me mad;  \nI swear I am not!  \nI'll point out the towers if we find the spot,  \nSuch silver and gold,  \nSuch wonderful shine!  \nTo be in a place where the Gods would recline.  \n  \nI've witnessed the spires  \nOf fallen empires,  \nSo proudly they stand in desert dry!  \nBut I've no recollection,  \nUpon sudden reflection,  \nOf where the Holy Temple lies.  \n  \nBut when I die,  \nO, take me there!  \nWhere hemp and poppy kiss the sky!  \nAnd on my slate,  \nO, Let them write,\n\n\"Here lies the last of the Ceruni!\"  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Poetry, both old and new","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1925701-broken-man-s-blues.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1945558-chucky-requiem-for-my-mate.json"}}