1. THE OCTAGONAL STAIRWAY

I hid under cover
waited for my orders
a clown whispered in my ear
you're not a soldier
I awoke with a grail in my hand
I sipped it as I went down
the octagonal stairway
compassion
was my weakness
I declared war
for no reason
then I awakened
brass knuckles on my hands
I punched the walls as I went down
the octagonal stairway
I laid in the hearse
saw the southern lights
and I awakened
with a novel in my hand
I read it as I descended
the octagonal stairway