The Harpy's Lair

Do you hear that? It's them screaming...

The sound of thousands of people as they wail

While She sits there, casually preening,

And looking disinterestedly over the rail.

Will they die? We can only hope to God,

Their pain has long since crossed all known bounds,

While in the guards' hands are cruel, golden, rods

As they move among them, going on their rounds

Is this all there is? I don't understand,

When did I first enter this room? This cavern of despair?

Never have I seen a more blasted, God-forsaken land,

A place that reeks with the smell of such raw fear.

Can I escape? Is this even real?

No borders to agony as far as the eye can see,

The only thing left to do is kneel,

And wait for her to judge me.

Is that a smile? Or is it a frown?

All weighs on what She thinks I am,

A wave ripples through her gossamer gown,

And I am dismissed as another sham.

I know now where I am, I understand my terror.

I am one of the commoners, a man bound and shackled.

All because in my carelessness I made an error,

And now for my folly, forever by the Harpy shall I be heckled.