I. Tubilustrium
I dragged your body
to our hidden place after
my eyes dried I took a knife
and skinned you
It took me all night
In the morning
sun I hung your hide to dry
when you were tanned I stretched
your once soft skin across
my drum
from your radial bones I fashioned hammers
so the sound of you could ring
high and clear in their ears I kissed
you speaking a solemn vow I streaked
your blood across
my eyes off we march to war
II. Equirria, Pt. I
We ride to war
I bang our drum
You died for me
I bang our drum
I kill for you
I bang our drum
I smell your blood
I bang our drum
I track him down
I bang our drum
I taste his fear
I bang our drum
I swing the knife
He tastes red steel
Ring high and clear
Battle is won
War has begun
We march again
I bang our drum
III. Equirria, Pt. II
I drained the last of his blood into a bucket and lifted it high over my head I tipped it toward me and let the red run through my hair down my face and onto my chest until I was purified
it tasted of iron
I started a fire and placed you near it to keep you warm while I peeled his skin off I was hungry for dark meat so I took his thigh and cooked it
it was tough and satisfying
when I had my fill I cracked his bones and sucked out the marrow from this meal I learned his secrets where I could find them and how I could further avenge you
IV. Equus October
I ran through the woods
chasing men who ran like horses
strong and proud with heavy quickness
they went down one-by-one my spear
thrust through transfixed
and screaming
When the last was caught
he screamed for mercy
I banged our drum
he looked into my eyes
I banged our drum
He spat in my face as I thrust
deeper to bring my knife
to his throat in a moment it was over
for him
I took my knife and cut off his head
like I’d done to three before him
I placed them in the bag
at my hip I began the long march
home
V. Armilustrium
I washed myself
in the river and the blood
ran downstream I walked home with you
and them at my hip
I hung you
above the fireplace before burying
their heads under your favorite tree
I polished the spear
that pinned them I wiped down
the knife that killed
them I stored them both
for winter
I sat in front of the crackling fire
and placed your radial bones in the ashes
the flames lapped at my arms
My body shook like bones
ripped from sockets my sobs sounded
like tongues ripped from mouths my laughter
was like trumpets