​I met a highwayman
journeying to the Sea.
Pity in his coral smile showed,
so I thought,
as he took my eyes
from me, and much more,
until, blind, in disbelief
I cried,
”You cannot charge a toll
on this straight and narrow road!”

Laughing, he said,
“No living soul
can pass this gulf
without Charon’s fee.
Did you think salvation
would be (or ever could
be) free?” And laughing
cut my throat.

I fell among thieves
who unburdened my boat
as I sailed a forsaken,
tempestuous Sea.
I had no coin
for their hungry purse
as they bound me gleefully
and severed my tender flesh,
until, a eunuch, in agony
I pled,
“I’ve nothing left;
just let me live!”

“There is always more to give,”
they laughing said. “Bodies sink
but corpses float
to greet the devil’s hearse.
Will you buy his token
to pay the final fare
in lovely lilac blood?”
and slit my throat.

I sank
beyond all breath
into the depths
of the cool, calm Sea.
I asked, “Does no one care
what happens to me?”

I heard a voice
and looked up to see
a man dressed beautifully
in fairest silk and ivory pearl.
He stretched his hands in prayer,
smiling down at me,
and kissed my throat.

   “Of course I can help you,”
   Master Mahan said,
   “In death there is much to gain.
   Have you not learned the lesson
   descended down from Cain?"

---

RETURN TO POEMS