September
Adam Bryant Martin
Underneath the trees of starlight
Dawns the coming of an age
Creeping through the woodwork,
Through forest brush and wild sage.
I clutch at straws beyond the veil
I watch the half-moon rise
Wolves approach across the pale
As this generation dies.
A generation telling lies
Must feel the cat-o'-nine-tails' lash
Must smear the doors with lamb's blood,
Don the sackcloth and the ash.
It hurls its cry at bloodless skies,
Drowns out the hope of truth-
Whose sad array and poor disguise
Were sorrows in its youth.
Some danced upon the funeral stones
Some jumped from the Cliff
Here in the home of the brave,
This heartless land of myth.
Who crucified the gladness?
Who poured forth the fire?
Who pierced my side with sadness
In the valley of desire?
I turn toward the horizon
Beg destiny for a chance
Stars translate the message
Loose me from my trance:
"Look beyond the scars you see,
Take my key now to the door
Spread wings into eternity
As rain sweeps clean the floor.
Cast away the nightmares
With the ashes of your dreams
Wash your face in crystal waters
And hear silence in the streams.
If there's any way to wonder
If there's any cause for change
Then another migrant bird in flight
A new song will arrange."
But it's Autumn in my memories,
There's blood upon my hands
I lie beneath the weeping trees,
My house upon the sands.
I sink below the sunset
As I walk inside the cave
Remember leaves have fallen
And place flowers on my grave.
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