The Nataki Bells

The Nataki Bells

At the bottom of the well, the Nataki dwells.
From his skinless fingertips, his story tells.
He is long forgotten down the hole drilled into the earth.
The craving and the yearning.
His empty belly churning.
Constant darkness, dampened air,
Fill the Nataki with despair.
As he broods his life eternal in that god forsaken lair.

He waits for those who know not of his peculiar appetite.
As they wander past the well top in the shadow of the night.
The time it passes slowly at the bottom of the well.
But the Nataki waits there patiently, equipped with only bells.
A range of jagged bronze antiques, hung at varied heights to his every side.
Surrounded by bells, the Nataki dwells.
His only tool in his prison cell.
To draw his only life source to the bottom of the well.

So if you pass his well at night,
The well top may not catch you’re sight.
But a sweet, sombre melody, you will hear,
With a soothing stroke it lures you near.
You’re feet glide above the dew topped grass.
Thoughtless you’re mind as you gaze into his pit.
You’re eye’s are glazed.
Completely dazed.
You lift you’re leg over and begin to climb down.
To the source of that overwhelming sound.
The Nataki bell’s that haunt the night.
Like drops of rain on an owl in flight.
And so you descend into the murky darkness,
Blissfully unaware of what awaits you below.
Down the well, into his icy shadow.

Till the bells song ceases and your trance is unlocked.
The Nataki strikes and drags you in.
With sharpened stones, he tears your skin.
And feasts upon the flesh beneath.
He grinds your bones with jagged teeth.
You’re agonised screams will go unheard.
And before you can blink, he’ll devour you whole.
He’ll suck you’re marrow and swallow your soul.
You’re fingers and toes, your scabs and moles.
The Nataki wastes nothing, as he feasts in his hole.
Then the Nataki will wait, once again, at the bottom of the well.
Playing gently on his bells.
Deprived, he’ll stare at the sour moon.
His bitter soul, cloaked in doom.
Till another victim is betrothed by his tune.