Tales From a Venetian Wedding

The crimson-gold light boomed bright and clang without care. 

Yes! The fireworks sang songs that cascaded through the night’s air.  

‘O the sounds of love and laughter were so sweet to hear,

For the canals brought lords and ladies and gifts and cheer. 

But in these canals, one guest was invited, 

One who shook hands with the devil and made blood deals in private

‘O he lead a life of death and deceit, 

Wearing cloak black and blue . 

But his life would end here at the wedding… 

 If only he knew. 

While the bride and groom danced and spun to their song, 

Their palms grew sweaty and their paces grew long. 

Yes, they were drunk and in love -

As they clapped and they twirled. 

For the bride wore a long golden dress, 

And her necklace of pearls.

No nothing could stop our two lovers - 

Nor extinguish their light, 

‘Til the groom slipped and fell -

With demon in sight. 

Now the guest who bore gifts was no man in the groom’s eyes,

For he had a look of the wicked

And a mask of Venetian disguise. 

So come as he must, this guest they called demon, 

For he brought rubies and riches, diamonds, and gleeman!

‘O the bride and the groom,

For they were no perfect pair.

Yet the fireworks rang true, 

As they consumed the night’s air.

The wedding promised feast and folly, 

Dance and short dresses.

It had trinkets and goodies and signs of remembrance. 

‘O the guests wore Venetian masks - to guise their grim faces

So of the man, they called demon, of him, no traces. 

For the groom left his bride,

Yes! He fled in a haze. 

As wine rung to his breath 

And blood dripped down his face,

He gathered the drunken dagger in hand 

And slid up his wrist, 

For he wanted to give the guest they called demon,

Death’s final kiss. 

Yes! The groom sought the guest, 

The one they called demon, 

He sought to end his life forever, 

For this there was reason. 

As he gathered his steps and peered through the night,

He saw lovers and laughs, and crimson-gold light. 

He saw precious gold jewels and black and blue cloak, 

He saw the demon that danced and the demon that spoke. 

For the groom moved like the wind, 

Like the crease on a long linen dress.

As he crept behind,

And slashed,

Through the demon’s soft neck. 

Yes! The man they called demon reached hand out for aid, 

For courtesan, for guard, for priest, for maid.

‘O the one they called demon was stopped by another 

For he, himself, found joy in killing the bride and groom’s mothers.

Blood for Blood.

Will it ever be wrong or right? 

The Wedding guests shrieked madness 

‘All vanished from sight.