Messenger of God

[Southern Scarab]

The feathered man and jagged knife,
a totem on the heaven's steps. This reads a little awkwardly for me. Is it worded this way to imply multiple heavens? Perhaps,"on the steps of the heavens", for example. The 's right before the words steps causes me to stutter over it when read, but maybe that's just me.

Sun's gaze bleeding through cotton clouds,
dripping red into velvet sky. Why am I suddenly craving red-velvet cake?

A body writhes against the ropes,
the cold slab pushing against him. Nice. Gives the impression of being raised up to be consumed.

Below, the mass of people sway,
and they pray to the darkest gods

that swallow the stars and night sky.
But now they hunger for life's debt.

Fear roots into the man's features.
The knife descending, it's sculpted. 


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A pretty simple poem trying to imagine the scene of Aztec human sacrifice. Not super deep, but just wanted to know if the imagery is good or not and if the rhythm is good. But yea any kind of critique is welcome.

**enjoyed extensively**
I really like how the image that this is taking place at the top of a pyramid is constructed without being said. The frequent parallel between above and below was well taken advantage of. My favorite line:
it's sculpted.
yes.
I do find the title inconsistent with the theme of an Aztec sacrifice. The poem it's self refers to 'gods' and 'the heaven's steps', which would correctly imply a polytheistic setting. The title refers to God, singularly. Is this intentional?

Anywho, I loved it thanks for the read. =)