lupercalia

lupercus called on the goat
he rose from a fire of blood and skin
"laugh, boys," they cried,
wiping alabaster clean,
"and choose the name of the girl!"
faunus hung back from the feast
he rose from the soil of lust and birth
"open yourselves, girls," they cried,
gently prodding thighs,
"and from maiden to mother you'll go!"
claudius raged from his throne
he rose on a mantle of char and war
"avoid the union, citizens," he cried,
suiting them in armour,
"for battle is no place for the lovesick!"
valentine sneaked from the heather
he rose on the love and chastity of christ
"pure is matrimony, children," he cried,
marrying them all in shadow,
"your heart will be hardy with family!"
but claudius struck valentine down
and his heart pumped blood on the flowers
lupercus and faunus trembled in fear
watching their time so fade
but love never stopped beating it's goatskin drum
love never stopped drawing a crowd
the lotto has ended, the names are all picked
and scattered over this valentine's shroud.