You had me with the title of this poem. I read this poem through, and then read it again line by line. It is haunting, and reveals truths we so often don't talk about in daily life; truths we simply ignore and move in without seeing, without wanting to see. But once you realize, it is a world where darkness is eating away, is starving to death, the light. You seemed to write of war and death particularly in the imagery of less modern times, but it also feels very much applicable to now.

"Where all the races of the world
Slay and wait to be slain"

I don't want to say I enjoyed this poem, because that feels too light of a response for such heavy content, but I was moved by it and found it meaningful. It does not shy away, but speaks boldly and poetically. I have been thinking a lot lately about what makes a dark poem, because my last few poems have been in the 'dark' category. When I finished reading your poem I thought, 'yes, this is a dark poem'.

Just charming!

Indeed this is a dark poem filled with reality,
parts of it mirror the Book of Revelation with it's prediction of blood up to the horses bridles. With Adam's fall Light did become slaves to Satan but Jesus the Strong Man is plundering his Kingdom taking out a people for his own giving them back their Light and Free Will. You may like my poem "Just an ordinary day" I wrote for the poor and downtrodden in order to give them hope.
You can view it on my web site under "Poems"
gracefaithgift.com Minister Ken