The Number of the Beast

Background info: 666 is generally accepted as the mystical ‘Number of the beast’ described by John in Revelations.

So it comes to this. A short shot of lead that the mind slows

but not until after the impact. Then it is forever rushing towards you

deflected by a word you don’t know, a decision you can’t make.

I have a dream most nights where the house is on fire, someone lies dying.

I have the phone in my hand but the numbers are unclear,

thumb fumbles the sequence ‘999’

the number of the beast inverted; that locks the beast away,

extinguishes the fire, ceases the flow of blood.

Or I dial but when they answer I am tongue struck

Paralysed, the fire coming nearer, the wound a bloody river.

I wake with a start, check that you are safe.

My breath is returned to me intact, unshattered.

(The cracks on the ceiling reassure me of reality.)