"Inspired by Tyree Campbell's story, Rockhound, as a possible explanation for those ravenous rocks."

Unrestricted Club Use


harken diggers to a story
excavated from a quarry
where the Bandits of Mandori
once coveted this land

Mandorites had stolen treasures
till a wind choked off these pleasures
blowing in unhealthy measures
to pack their sacks with sand

though the thieves were buried awake
they slept well for vengeance's sake
robbing them would be a mistake
their riches had been cursed

but the vague hex filled a broad need -
have them consumed by their own greed
brief words few trespassers would heed
which caused their hopes to burst

strings of pearls served to strangle throats
silken sails sank seaworthy boats
ink faded from all the king's notes
vile objects took their tolls

minerals were all they'd wanted
but that miners' pit was haunted
workers there were badly taunted
though their picks sought plain goals

the ill ground despised their craving
and altered how it was behaving
for diggers there was no saving
the rocks consumed them well

some had died finding Mandori
others from purging a quarry
all victims of the same story
a tale none lived to tell