THE FALL
I lie here among fallen comrades
Lifeless forms which cleave to the earth
My breath is fading fast and I remember the glory that now dies with me.
Once I was a part of a mighty and glorious thing
Which stood tall and proud in the face of the Sun.
Together we were insurmountable,
Stretching toward the Heavens
Glimpsing the cosmic and near blinded by the very rays which gave us life.
Resplendent in our uniforms of verdant green
We grew from youth together
Until our mighty empire climaxed
And was deified in the Age of Dreams.
We blest the Rains which fell around us
And held fast against the tempest siege that
Zephyrus was wont to lay against us time and again.
We were many but one
Unified in purpose and mind
Single in that one glorious union which gave us meaning.
Then the Afternoon’s glory gave way to the impending Twilight and the earth began to change.
The days grew colder and we began to fall victim to the omnipotence of Time – falling under that infamous scythe.
We traded our greens for shades of brown
Dark muted colors which bespoke the dying of all we truly knew.
Weakened by the torrents which we once held dear,
We dared not think about the battle to ensue.
Like clockwork our Enemy drew near once again and railed against our wooden ramparts with a fury we had never known.
Alas, too weary to cling to life
We began to fall one by one
Descending so gently to the Ground – gentle-seeming yet the winds shearing the very breath from us as we fell from the Bosom of Life
Hurtling towards Death’s darkened doors.
There are those who still fight,
Resisting the tide
But our Autumn is very much upon us I fear.
I quietly cheer my brethren in their strength and courage
Though, the harsh reality and unfeeling cruelty of our Foe is sure and swift,
Felling them one by one.
As I breathe my last I can reflect with pride in a hazy dream of what and who I was
One of the Chosen Few who have really known life and how to live for another and they for you.
And after we are all gone,
All to the Earth,
Dust to dust,
Our ramparts will still stand as a testament to the ages of our great and wondrous civilization.
In time new ones will arrive and marvel at our mighty fortress,
Making their homes among our ghosts – the cycle will repeat age to age
But we, we shall be gone forever.
And glancing left and right
I see my brothers’ faces,
Devoid of Agony, now clothed in Peace.
I feel the comfort descend upon me and resign myself to the immortal embrace – taking my humble place in the annals of History.
I bid you goodbye then, gentle friend, forget me not when the new day comes – and Spring breathes Life into this land – again, as always…