Forbidden

The Book of Death makes known our wretched sins,
And seals the fates of kings and tramps alike.
Atop a spire 'twixt seas of wines and gins,
Descended with that Fallen Angel's strike.
One thousand leagues across the fields of fire!
The selfish men who seek immortal life:
Take thousands more to reach the cursed spire!
But all who try have failed and died in strife.
Yet I do not seek these repulsive pages;
Nor lust for endless knowledge in these seams.
For my guardian has shown me through my ages
The truth behind this hellish book of dreams.
   I am a mortal; that is how it must stay;
   Lest from this graceful path of life I stray.