The Last Goodbye

my feet are bare,
the marble cool, washed
by the steps of countless
pilgrims through
the ages

i move by the pit
that flowed
with blood and sacrifices
and dreams, the liquid
burns upon
my tongue in cool
passion

enter the line
where i stand my turn
to i find her
silent again
in her cage
waiting for me

behind her silver mask
lies wisdom
i scarcely understand

my senses tumble
into aphasia, i
try to comprehend
her message

all fades to black

her voices flicker
a flame reaching me
through the darkness

she says "remember"

i walk from the temple,
turn, look back
one last time

how often
have i passed this way
through the ages?

i do not know

i may never come this way again