Edom's daughter

the soul's sweet virtue runs red
aflame
to drown the angel's voice

the hidden manna feeds
five thousand
nights
the wandering Jew
tempted by Edom's daughter
with scarlet hair and promises

Phineas waits
to avenge
virtue given another god
but death is an empty threat
to a life bereft of charity

a bride with breasts
like proud young does
bedecked in linen
lined with gold
I sing the song of songs
till she relents
and gives consent

the avenger of blood be damned for all I care
if only I
one morning soon
awake to smell her soul's sweet
river aflame