Litnet

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The departing

Brandish the banners – 
bright red as the dying day – 
for tonight the old man will wilt 
and eerily drift away – 
fought over by ghouls 
and seraphs divine, 
contesting raucous celebration, 
versus the guidance of souls, 
instructing him with angelic ardour 
in Biblical oratory, 
on the unburdening of sin 
by the purifying fire of Purgatory.