# Three Poems ### by Arbogast Jun 23, 2026 --- Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Gallows Feast ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Come, carrion birds ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` and idle onlookers. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` See ‘em swing, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` see ‘em bounce in the breeze. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Do you dare to touch? ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Do you dare to see ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` how long, from finger to knee, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` runs red those kinky innards? ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` It’s a fine show, no? ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` It’s good to see Hell early. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` It’s fine for the misaligned ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` to die. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Don’t cry—rejoice! ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` It was their choice, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` after all, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` to die like dogs. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` All this is, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` all this ever is, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` is a rendezvous party— ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` one last hurrah ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` for the buzzards and the bees, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` the maggots and worms, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` and the catchers of the blood ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` wanting yet another feast. ``` --- Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` September ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` I found your note: ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` your suicide note… ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` today. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` The sun was shining, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` and somehow summer held on, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` but you didn’t. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` You went with the blowflies ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` on the whore’s corpse: ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` a-festering. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` You hid your blood well— ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` in the backyards ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` among the bushes. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` No cul-de-sac creature ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` will ever find you. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` But I know… ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` I know your last thoughts. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` I know your last dreams. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Such nightmares on pavement, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` and flecks of foam ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` on quivering lips. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` This is how it goes in September. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` So, go gather the ghosts ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` and ask for treats, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` I’ll take your letter ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` and crawl ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` into my own ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` coffin. ``` --- Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Across the Battlements ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Red knight, green knight. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` A spinning black sun. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Crooked rays shine on ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` the many turrets of ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` the grand mausoleum. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Here, the snow has gathered ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` for the old ritual. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Which warrior will wince ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` when the severed necks ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` pump plumage instead of blood? ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` It is their duel which must dance; ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` It is their war which must end, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` not in victory, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` but in the continuation of the game. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` Players shall play on— ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` ravished maidens shall be captured, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` and their hearts wrung pale for ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` graal wine. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` A toast then for the absurdity of it all. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` For life lived exquisitely, ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` and for nothing at all. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` This is the only thing to be done ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` each equinox. ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` When the world—the castle— ``` Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published ``` pretends to be enchanted. ```