Sea foam has blown
in long bubble-wrap strands ashore
like echoes
of octopus armies routed
aeons ago.

In dying they flung
white muscular limbs in agony
up and out
a flail of surrendering cups
white porcelain libation
offered up -
the unmixed wine of blood.

For sorcerous sea-horde-slaughterer
had raised staff of power
driftwood-intricate-carved
and flash-frozen cephalopods all.

So now must I hesitant step
evade telltale shapes as one does
when suspecting unmarked graves
placing each tentative toe
careful not to disturb
cursed sand.

Praefatio - The Ancient Roman introductory rite to an animal sacrifice which included an incense and wine libation onto a burning altar.