Yuri's Chamber

Yuri's Chamber

The shadow of her hair does trick
before a candle's flick'ring.
Smooth those rounding walls do spire
the mortar moist 'tween white stone brick.

Follow me she whispers quick;
It's time that you knew Ivan!
For though you slumber in your nid,
Do I not see behind those lids
That narrow with each question?

Counter clockwise down the steps,
Swifter, swifter, swifter.
Counter clockwise 'till the room
Where truth gives way to fiction!

Count the spines of volumes here,
And when you wake remember-
To never tell, this place near
Hell; but one to know the number
True, and keep in mind who's
After you!

Clockwise shall we now ascend as
Specters spiral 'twixt the shimmer
Of the graven spines that lead us
To the volumes- deep within the
Womb of saints' and tyrants'
Tales of blood O
Tales of toil well hidden!

Find me here but once again,
And I shall lead you once again:
Counter clockwise down these steps,
A league beneath the metochion.

White stone brick that binds with
Mortar seized and softened for its
Purpose with the sweat and tears of
Masons grand and graven all to house
The tomes of Yuri's chamber.
 
-I. IX