the pendulous metal

hangs above and back of the stage

suspended by cord in fine fettle

near the beast slash geek cage

.

feast days death days sometimes for a war

sometimes for the birth of a princess

from a lair in a hill out a paneled corridor

comes the hareskin-covered hammer that convinces

.

and the wielder slabbily muscled lumbers

up the stonehewn steps

with a swing she unencumbers

sports and demons from the depths

.

and the hillfolk scream and scurry

at the liquid majestic sound

and to the stage they hurry

where awaits the Darkness-gowned

.

and the wielder holds her hammer high

and scans the crowd and then

swings and smashes and the Death-Gong

drenches all the throng again.