Two Deaths

One death I carried within
A glorious queen, tall and serene
Behind a gossamer screen

Before my eyes another one
A rope hangs from her mouth
Her skin is raw
The air is dry

They gaze at each other
Like into a looking glass
One moves to test the other
Like one does after a long night

One death, two deaths
And they open their arms
Some coins in my palms
As I hang fire