photo by Stephen Alsford
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The guardians are gone – They take to silent paths Beyond the poet's words, Beyond the jester's laugh, Beyond charisma's flail In Cortes' cauldron cast. Before the fail-safe fails "Return to the past!" "Return to the past!" Cold winds once blew at night, But now by day as well; And it was long ago, My son, I heard them tell Of all the sky a sea And all the world its pearl – Now see what's come to be As we journey toward hell Journey toward hell. Where now that brave new world Whose promise we embraced? We saw its flag unfurled, Then turned away our gaze. Where is that grace divine, Foundation of our faith? No gods from our machine Emerge to keep us safe Or purge us of disgrace. Return to the past! Turn back the hands of time; Tomorrows cannot last, They unravel and unwind. Can we return to the past? No, our bark has sailed too late. Adrift, its crew is cast Upon the fickle tide of fate. To tread the hallowed ways, Once more to feel the earth, I'd pay the penance-price: To bear the death-sting scourge; Fear not the wrath of gods To sate my fatal urge, To cut my Gordian knot, Seeking a second birth A second birth. Return to the past! Lay waste the sands of time; Into the hour-glass Pour sulphur, mercury, and lime. There is no return to the past, No escape ... no reprieve. A future comes at last Wherein we grieve, Wherein we may grieve, Wherein we |
| (2007) |
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photo by Stephen Alsford |
| Created: November 17, 2014. Last modified: August 10, 2016 | © Stephen Alsford |