Rusted Iron

[Verse 1] Autumn dusk — like rusted iron, It creaks and sings, corroding flesh and bone... What are all temptations, Croesus' treasures Before the blade of Your longing, Lord alone! [Verse 2] I'm worn by the dancing serpent's coil, Before it I tremble, steady in its thrall. I want no more the windings of my soul, Nor reason's paths, nor Muse — I renounce all. [Verse 3] Enough unraveling sly denials' knot, That twisted skein of cunning, dark and deep; No graceful words for laments or confessions, My cup is heavy, yet its measure shallow, brief. [Verse 4] Why breathe at all? On jagged stones it dances — The sickly python, twisting, coiling tight; It sways, encircles the body in its trances, Then falls exhausted in the fading light. [Verse 5] And useless now, on execution's eve, Stirred by visions and by song's clear command, I listen like a prisoner, without fear or grief, To iron's screech and the dark wind's steady stand.