Many years mighty Troy was under siege
And remained an unconquerable fort.
If the Trojans harked Cassandra"s .....speech
Maybe Troy would still be holding ....court.

   With eyes delirious, the maiden
   Kept on saying, "I see my Troy in ashes and alight!"
   But prophets, like the witnesses all ended
   On stakes.  And always burned with equal light.

That day from Horse"s belly death descended.
It was a wingED one as lore dictates.
In murder"s bloody reign neverending,
They yelled, "This witch must perish at the stake!"

   With eyes delirious, the maiden
   Kept on saying, "I see my Troy in ashes and alight!"
   But prophets, like the witnesses all ended
   On stakes.  And always burned with equal light.

That night, and in that chaos, that unreason
When all her prophesies played out to the letter,
The mob would find ... no better season
To execute her and her fame shatter.

   With eyes delirious, the maiden
   Kept on saying, "I see my Troy in ashes and alight!"
   But prophets, like the witnesses all ended
   On stakes.  And always burned with equal light.

Her end was simple, vexing, but...no wonder.
Some Greek had found her remote shelter.
And started using her not as Cassandra,
But as a plain and simple subjugator.

   With eyes delirious, the maiden
   Kept on saying, "I see my Troy in ashes and alight!"
   But prophets, like the witnesses all ended
   On stakes.  And always burned with equal light.
							  2005