The Magus
written by: Elizabeth Barton
The Mage grandly descended the staircase,
feathered like the Cock, priapic and preened,
stealth lover plundering fresh virgins, base
demands sated by ritual hierarchy.
His cruel Alter clothed him with boundless age;
time after time he pursued his quarry,
and thrown like kindling, consumed by bright blaze
in profane hunger to feed his glory.
A strange power remains, a furtive crown;
his shadow follows his form, sly footfall
betrayed by all-seeing eyes in wind-blown
worlds, and knowing, hearkens to his dark pall
can reveal to guileless virgins the Thief
who defiles their vault in mad disbelief.
Elizabeth Barton is an artist and poet from New Zealand, with work featured in Pink Plastic House, Fevers of the Mind, Black Bough Poetry, Flight of the Dragonfly Poetry, The Hooghly Review, Vita Brevis Literature, Nothing Divine Dies, and Literary Revelations' inaugural publication, Hidden in Childhood. A winner of the 2020 White Label Cinq competition, her collection Mirrored Time was published in July 2023 by Hedgehog Poetry Press. Elizabeth has authored two further poetry collections, All Revolutions Begin This Way and Auroral, both published by Alien Buddha Press. Her art is in private and public collections worldwide, including the V & A Prints Collection, London.
Latest posts by Elizabeth Barton (see all)
- The Magus - November 3, 2025
- The M25 - June 9, 2025
- The Red Knight - March 11, 2025
