Vitium

By: Caleb Kestner

Then look upon the monsters maw

Where diamond daggers line its jaw

Its tongue a velvet soft as sleep

And Gold along its throat is heaped

The smell of spices sweet and strong is heavy on its breath

An enticing blend fragrances that masks the stench of death

Its granite eyes give off a glare as cold as winter skies

Hypnotically it stares at you and whispers frigid lies

Its scales are polished silver with an iridescent glow

Its fingers end in milky claws as pure as crimson snow

“My way is easy, fun and fast” it says and smiles wide

“Come taste the fruit of vanity and drink the wine of pride”

It slowly inches closer as its prey begins to near

Promising them all they ask to wash away they’re fear

“Indulgence is such pleasing sport and temperance so dull”

“Lust is such delightful bliss just let your conscious lull”

And as they’re slowly swallowed up the illusion disappears

They realize the choice they’ve made has a price that’s paid in tears