The Wake

Take my hand and
Walk under the archways
That lead to the shadiest part
Of the east-cityscape.
Where the dryness
Is not so bad as before
When you met up with me
Near your broken door.
Since you have slept
On the floor in the sand
That covers us all, I thought
I would help you stand.
So, now once more
I introduce you here
Where the sun does not
Sink in or sit so near.

As I brush past
This elegant hall
I ask that you take it in
And absorb it all.
There are a few
People waiting for you
To see what is coming
And to see if its true.
But, I digress, take
Your time, linger now
Before the time must come
When acrid sun bows.
Sit here before the
Fountain-well where
Some have seen wonders
And others just stare.

Withdraw before a
Passing guard, holding
Watch and feigning charge
Over a city molding.
Calmly hold your
Vagrant guise before
The passing guard sees
Something more.
Sunlight bounces
Off a carried metal
I see you blinded, cry
“where is this petal?”

And there before
Your awestruck eyes
Is the last link to life
We here prize.
Off the subtle
Slanted bough
Lies the last leaf
Of a broken vow.
So now you
See the city heart
And now, I think,
You should start.
Moving hardly
To make no show
Hold vigils secret to let
No one know.

Pause

Past the moment
When you called God
I swear I heard trumpets
As a ‘signal nod.’
Crippled though
You were when last
The temples fell and burned
It all has passed.
No arm of man
No heart of sin
Could break that love
That soul within.

And waited all
For life and return
From viewing anew;
Time, it turns.