The Head Of John The Baptist

What Sunday school image was ever more vivid
Than the decollation of john?
His head on a platter, serene and unsplattered
Incestuous romans look on
Of course, crucifixion is quite the affliction
To suffer in stages for days
But no fate's so wild, no, none is so vile
As losing your head to the blade

Did salome dance?
Did herod steal more than a glance
At his daughter and niece?
Did herodias task her own daughter to ask for
The head of the baptist released?
Or was it more trivial, cold and political?
History shifting the blame
From one ruthless man to one or two women
Seductresses, foolish and vain

Bring me the head of the baptist
I want the head of the baptist

Seems it's found just to be lost again
This relic of martyrs and men
The skull of a soul in distress
Crying in the wilderness