The first veil slips when prophet, priest, and beast

inquire about the babe that burns back east.

What monster lord commands “Kill every son”?

So suffer the sword and second kingdom come.

A kid silenced thrice by reed and rope and chain

will tear down temples to hell where better to reign.

The ring of the man of bone and his carnivore

holds fast the child to pray past garment four.

You know it’s good no greater lover gives

the heir for sacrifice and takes the fifth.

Veil six forsakes free fall for ties that bind.

The nymph’s seduction soothes desire blind.

For seven strides the dancer bears the head

against the father, eager, sated, dead.