Mazurka

Invite the stranger into your house. Ask him to perform rituals which he's never witnessed. Place a wafer in his hand. Look in his eyes. Meet the ecstatic gaze. Receive his rite. Wish him fortitude of spirit. Half cunning fox, half grumbling lion in the halls of his own fortress. Drink a glass of wine for each apostle. Seethe with vitriol at the memories that cling, that cannot be laughed away. Watch him sprawl out beneath the candles, deflated soul with a warrior's grin. His hunger absolved.