The Word

Legend tells of a dark-winged bird
That sings for solace a single word:
"Betrayal, betrayal, betrayal."
Like a lunatic lording over the sterile land with laughter
Or the would-be saint's renunciation of a laughing God,
This bird's word was chosen for him
And so he has mastered the speaking of it.
Whether he was betrayed or was himself the betrayer,
No one can say.
Never taking wing, he does not return
And he does not leave.
No reconciliation and no escape can save him.
Just the word.
"Betrayal, betrayal, betrayal."
Not tears, not laughter.
No pause in his incantation
But to die, or taste the worm.