Denizens of sylvan places

hidden from the eyes of man,

courtesans with sylph-like graces

dancing to the pipes of Pan -

that echoed through the ether

notes that soured the wings of halcyon,

songs to give our life the meaning

that we lack now they have gone.



Watch the pattern ever changing

in the tapestry of fate,

weft and weave and interlacing

silken strands that fabricate -

a cloak to fit both king and beggar,

those who rule and those that toil

are equalled in the fact that

all pay homage to this mortal coil.



Icy fingers grasping madly

get a grip upon my throat -

and slowly squeeze the life out of me

on my dying words I choke,

afrantic prayer in desperation

cannot hope to make me whole,

a moments lapse of concentration

and the spirits flee my soul.



Drugs and potions surge within me -

slowly paralize and kill me,

terrified I stumble blindly

Into the unknown.



Outside looking in - observing

feelings that I find unnerving

dying with my eyes wide open

helpless and alone.



The endless void that lies beyond -

with gaping jaws it beckons me,

I cast my worldly flesh aside and

plunge into eternity.



Once light hearted I departed -

on my quest hope courted me,

now a new love is my true love

and her name is misery.

Eyes as dark as midnight-ravens

gems that filled my mind with awe,

enthral my heart -

distract me from her milk-white hands

stained red with gore.



The fetters that bound me are broken,

by words that were best left unspoken,

for now I am shackled to sadness

by chains that are tempered with madness.



I plummet like a shooting-star

that shines so bright yet falls so far,

shafts of moonlight guide me

to the world that waits below.

I seem in need of nothing else

but rope enough to hang myself-

Laughing through the gates of Hell I go.



MY SOULS LAMENT

Contained within a living shroud

my life-force fades and dies,

this weary heart grows heavy

as the coins upon my eyes.

The latch has now been lifted

on an ever open door,

and peering through I see things

as I never have before.



The hammer and the anvil meet -

in synchronicity they chime,

#a sound so simple and complete

it needs no melody or rhyme.

Reforging all that I once was -

they make me into something new,

no longer trapped within this world

but, transient and passing through -

the 'valley of the shadow'

far beyond the 'summerland',

like the wild-boar is my valour

now my life is in these hands -

that keep the seething couldron steaming,

stoke the fires of destiny,

gently take me and re-shape me

all-wise smith of sorcery



The fetters that bound me are broken,

by words that were best left unspoken,

for now I am shackled to sadness

by chains that are tempered with madness.



>From the 'cup of happiness'

the wine of hoped I've sipped,

betrayed I taste the bitterness

of pain upon my lips.

Though I try to drown my sorrows

they will surely drown me first,

for swallowing my pride

won't quench this thirst.



MY SOULS LAMENT:

In this darkness light has faded -

hope becomes despair,

loneliness for a companion -

with me everywhere.

I wander in confusion

while the tears that I have cried,

gleam like broken trinkets

you have worn then cast aside.



WODEN:

"Now hand-in-hand with ignorance

The power mad run blindly,

but retibution hunts you down

and rest assured he'll find thee.

No curtain could conceal you

for the ghosts of all you slander-

await you at your journeys end

and, to them you must answer.

The poisons born upon your tongue

will never serve to slight me,

for I have delt with many fools and

suffer your kind lightly.

Just as you sow so shall you reap -

and I my friend have plenty,

so sit ye down and eat your words

now that your plate is empty."



The endless void that lies beyond

with gaping jaws it beckons me,

I cast my worldly flesh aside and

plunge into eternity.



Once light hearted I departed -

on my quest hope courted me,

now a new love is my true love

and her name is misery.

Eyes as dark as midnight-ravens

gems that filled my mind with awe,

enthral my heart -

distract me from her milk-white hands

stained red with gore.



The fetters that bound me are broken,

by words that were best left unspoken,

for now I am shackled to sadness

by chains that are tempered with madness.



The endless void that lies beyond -

with gaping jaws it beckons me,

I cast my worldly flesh aside and

plunge into eternity.



Once light hearted I departed -

on my quest hope courted me,

now a new love is my true love

and her name is misery.

Eyes as dark as midnight-ravens

gems that filled my mind with awe,

enthral my heart -

distract me from her milk-white hands

stained red with gore.



The fetters that bound me are broken,

by words that were best left unspoken,

for now I am shackled to sadness

by chains that are tempered with madness.



I plummet like a shooting-star

that shines so bright yet falls so far,

shafts of moonlight guide me

to the world that waits below.

I seem in need of nothing else

but rope enough to hang myself-

Laughing through the gates of Hell I go.



MY SOULS LAMENT

Contained within a living shroud

my life-force fades and dies,

this weary heart grows heavy

as the coins upon my eyes.

The latch has now been lifted

on an ever open door,

and peering through I see things

as I never have before.



WODEM:

"Why do the mighty view the world

through syncophantic eyes -

Then claim to us they know what's best

from pedastals of pride?

Don't take the views of others

and dismiss them out of hand -

for when your pillars crumble

tell me who will take command