The first, but certainly not the last, reference to the Norse god of poetry and eloquence, Bragi. The original was composed on an IBM 360 mainframe terminal and printed out on greenbar computer paper in 1983. The poet still has the original in his files. The poem itself is about the intensity of attraction and the power of self-reflection. His first use of the term "ruby-blue".
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the serpent and the succubus
are baring polished fang for you.
I caught the faintest glimmer
of greylight off their
ruby-blue metal surfaces.
I heard the sheaths' whispering
to me again last night
as I dreamed memory.
slow cuts the quickslitter
that drives home venom angry
and opaque. take this phial
and drink warm wine tonight
when they come for you, as I do.
no less breathes a riddle than I.
no more to dream
the clocks' mockery.
William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.