We found her
Strung up on a cross
Just above the altar
Barely breathing
But alive.
The boldest among us
Too bold for a name
Rose on tiptoes
Just high enough
For fingertips to graze
The underside of her belly.
Swollen and fit to burst
The belly touched back.
It kicked and bucked
The beast inside
Caused the cross
To shake and shudder.
We fell back
In awe of the bucking beast.
Grab ropes, one shouted.
Tie her tight, brayed another.
Cords sprung up,
Of their own accord,
Into the hands
Of frightened men
And were quickly lashed
Around the arms
And legs
And tails
Of the beast up on the cross.
Squeeze
Shouted the boldest
Squeeze
Shouted the crowd
And squeeze we did
Until the beast bellowed
And the juices flowed
And the men drank deeply
Slurping loudly and greedily.
And only then
When there was no more juice
And the beast squeezed dry
Did a new sound fill the air
Snapping the men from their madness
The sound of the babe crying
Burst free from the womb
Looking up with mouth wide open
Begging for a drop of juice
That would never come.
