The Head Collector 1. i've been traipsing about ten days now, for nine, i haven't seen a soul so i haven't had to try to take control there was a lot being said in the last place i passed through sermons and sentences lasting the length of my stay that's why i stole away with a couple of things that i wanted to bury and a couple of answers i wanted to find i didn't care at the start my journey how much i was leaving behind the old road signs that had lined my journey today seem few and far between they've been replaced with glacial lakes and the mountains i traipse between 2. upon breaking the reflection of the water with a stone i decided to investigate a group of fallen bones having figured some four-legged friend had stumbled to it's death, well, i froze when in the cold i could see it's breath i confess i started shaking as the skull was turning 'round yes, the flesh and tendons left were somehow lifting from the ground & what, at first, was dust and rubble, now, was fully taking form & the fear that welled within me was the worst since i was born because the legs and limbs were straightening and matching mine for size the posture of a lion looking down upon it's prize the demeanour of a soldier who no longer sought commands i remember all the sentences i thought i'd never understand the sermons surrounding the people that i'd met i mean, the madness in their eyes that i'd been trying to forget some on their knees, each of them weeping, redirecting passers-by & i never cared to listen as they cowered, i powered by sifting through my options having little left to spare it's hanging jaw keeps lifting bringing laughter with it to the air seeing me searching for it's eyes within it's skull , it stirred i detected it was speaking i deciphered every word (it said:) 3. you dont know me but i know you & there's only three things i'm gonna ask of you kneel before me, drop your head offer up your neck 'cause i'm the head collector and i've a head to collect i've ruled this roost so many years try turn back and it'll end in tears see the rubble that lines these haunts and hills? well they're just the dusty skulls of all the people that i've happened to kill so won't you kneel before me, drop your head and offer up your neck cause i'm the head collector and there's a head to collect 4. the ground began to rumble to the rhythm as it spoke in contrast to the water's calm reflection that i'd previously broke this brittle monster was baying for my blood so i'd little option but to make an exit underwater if i could my belongings i first threw toward the beast in the hope my aim was true enough to slow him down at least & i'd been swimming all my life - so i was well prepared to dive and the coldness of the water was a mere reminder i was still alive beneath the surface mustering energy to swim &though both my lungs were bursting i swam on because of him & when my body finally told me that i had to re-emerge i could still make out it's distant words: (it said) 5. i see you're tryna swim toward the blanket of a forest floor? well i don't mind telling you it's been tried before with a click of my fingers this water will freeze & i can wait to watch you wash ashore 'cause i'm the head collector and i could use one more 6. then the goddess of the lake she swam right up to me and i had to double take (because nothing else was moving) she said please don't be alarmed your backs against the wall the beast can freeze the water but watch how i can pause it all you're on the run & i know who's close behind many folk have got this far but none have gotten further i can offer you a deal there's an exit you can find i'll gladly lead you to it, if you then return the favour you see, my love & i, we lived together in the sea until a wave, created by that beast, swept us asunder so, now i circle here and he the ocean floor find him, tell him i'm alive, that's the deal, there's nothing more he can rise the tides to sweep me free from here i'll gladly be of service if it's something you'd consider would you take this shell from me keep it in your hand he'll understand i sent you once you wade in to the water he wore it 'round his neck the day i lost his hand a gift from me i grabbed as we were dragged from one another and away 7. dried down, i found the day still frozen a clause, i'd overlooked, it seemed such a still, serene, anchored sunlight scene i didn't dare pause or look back at my partner tightening the grip on the shell that i kept in my hand i set off overland with the weight of a debt that i needed to carry i couldn't forget who i promised to save hastening my step i took on my journey towards the ocean waves 8. i saw running horses stood like statues mid flight birds in a v-shape pose i saw rooms of gold and untold riches but i didn't stop for any of those i took still-life fruit from a passing orchard though marked KEEP OUT the dogs didn't blink when i cut their chains 'cause their necks looked tortured i felt better 'bout the incident got to the tide at what should have been midnight but the sun stayed high from the forces at play & i was good to go when i heard someone say 9 my dear child you've got this wrong the one you seek is who you're running from the deal you made is null and void your plan to save the day will be destroyed in a time before your birth before the land the water ruled the earth and the goddess that you met gloriously shared the partnership but soon the one who held her heart feeling foolish leaned towards a second start the very one you're trying to meet he cut a deal with a desperate beast he said: For the chance to start anew, he said, i'll raise the land and leave it all to you, he said you can choose who lives or dies i'll be your loyal alibi 10 my heart grew tired and heavy as the shell fell from my hand & heavier still my body as my knees fell to the sand and turning to inspect this new found "aid" the head collector, lifting up the blade he said 11 you don't know me but i know you and theres only one thing left i expect of you bleed before me we both know what comes next cause i'm the head collector and there's a head to collect