Perduramus

The world looks different now,
through the veil of iron.
Clarity of sight can not allow,
a truth one cannot unlearn.

Fire's light yields no help,
vision lost to fear.
A terrified yelp,
should it become clear.

A stand must be made,
a line drawn before the dark.
A chance to fade,
with epic remark.

Dark valor holds the cure,
for our mutual pain.
For we all must endure,
if we have anything to gain.

I Wonder, A Rose

Often I wonder.
Can I hear you in that thunder?
Can I feel you in the rain,
Or is it all just in vain?

It's been so many years,
Since your voice was upon my ears.
I never will let go,
Of what I hardly came to know.

I miss you more than you'll ever know,
And I wish that you had been able to see me grow.
It really isn't easy to walk along these roads,
back hunched to ever solemn loads.

Although your pain was great,
Still my heart did not abate.
When you finally left me,
And at long last were free.

I used to wonder weather if I'd eaten all my food,
Or used words very much less crude.
If that would have made any difference at all,
At least till I heard your august call.

I don't know if its right,
But I wish it every night.
For its something that I lack,
And I'd gladly have you back.

For my mother, Febuary 10th 1996

Tempus Fugit

In silent awe gazing forth,
A single star pointed north.
Up upon the layered stairs.
Studying those heavenly affairs.

Rooms piled with papers high,
Crinkly, crackling, and quite dry.
Long did they keep,
Records held of crops to reap.

A mighty roar up in the sky,
A terrified mind wondered why.
And from this mind sprung a thought,
That in blood would its service be bought.

A river flowing giving life,
And fueling dangerous strife.
Through a mighty course it run,
Human work it will make undone.

Sanctified with each new thrust,
Engrossed in that primal lust.
Never caring for what is ahead,
Just right there in that bed.

The world as it was back then,
And could well be again.
Different names and places,
A changing mask of faces.

Wagons giving way to cars,
Bonfires giving way to bars.
A world so far apart,
Dwelling in a timeless heart.

How different is this time,
Cannot be captured in a rhyme.
But think before you scoff,
Is it really that far off?

An Egoist

Brought forth from the cradle of the sun, 
When our world was but only begun. 
In the darkness sat a world of fear, 
Swirling around what you held dear. 

Into the darkness you reach, 
The confines of logic you breach. 
A hero to chase the night away, 
And bring order and a mighty fay. 

And from this you draw forth a blade, 
And with it your petty fears waylaid. 
And into this hero you invoke you, 
And lay out what you are to do. 

So much of you invested in this lie, 
Soon it can never die. 
And out of this story of your own, 
You forge your ill-gotten throne. 

A legion through time oft deceived, 
Fooled until the lie believed. 
For who cares if the blood is a river, 
For yours is the cause of a life giver. 

And who cares if those in pain must wait, 
For the glory lies beyond a gate. 
And what difference does it make, 
If all you know is a fake? 

Time will come and shatter your world, 
The depths of your lie unfurled. 
Some embrace the dark you hate, 
But for them the fear did abate. 

I heard your mighty roar, 
And wail as your throat grew sore. 
Your world could never last, 
Its end was born in the past.

Medley

Twisting. Spinning. Burning.

Sound ever growing.
Thought ever flowing.
Time ever running.
Faith ever fooling.
Strength ever waning.

Fleeing. Running. Terrorizing.

Lament raised on high.
Echoing in the sky.
Warriors bleed and die.
Hate comes to fly.
Hark your end is nigh.

Stopping. Resting. Wondering.

Serenity from the abyss.
Calmly a ship to list.
Beauty in the mist.
Fire consumes this.
Peace found in Nyx.

Mea Maxima Culpa

It seems such a simple thing,
so easy to understand.
In my world I remain king,
and all is done right by my hand.

Driven by that which I love,
a world undone by what I do.
To grant them peace's dove,
a thousand score must be run through.

Please let it be worth it,
this sacrifice seems too great.
In our victory our sins we acquit,
that which we left behind smolders with hate.

What we give for a future,
is what we take from another's past.
Lives traded just a feature,
of those values to which we hold fast.

What makes us right,
and what makes them wrong?
This cannot be decided by a fight,
though blood may flow and memory be long.

I care not for gods bounty,
his is not what denies my sleep.
For no faith may answer that entreaty,
producing nightmares from my rest to keep.

Forgive us our sins,
each of them committed in your name.
For when that army wins,
you brand us as murderers all the same.

For this alone I beseech thee,
understand us in our darkest hour.
And in your understanding set us free,
for it is only within your power.

Amicitia

The world is full of odds and ends,
simple pleasures for lustful minds.
A thousand paths for us my friends,
a thousand curves even but one winds.

This journey's direction never changing,
marching forward day and night.
Along the way we go rearranging,
our destination hidden from sight.

What a lark this adventure be,
a fancy ride through high times.
But sometimes it isn't so carefree,
a somber punishment for forgotten crimes.

Whatever comes my way in life,
I'll be ready to walk on through.
Be it pain, love, happiness, or strife,
I'll walk with friends both old and new.