Life is but a river- ever flowing on its course,
Surging ever forward further from its humble source.

Hope is our great vessel- the best ship that we can sail,
Taking us along our quest to find our holy grail.

Faith is the horizon- ever just beyond our reach,
Promising a new world full of answers we beseech.

Luck is simply tidal- ever changing with the flow,
Rising up and falling back much sooner than we'd know.

Love is our last lifeboat- ever there when times are rough,
Saving us from drowning when at last we've fought enough.

From the light each one rebelled,
To the dark each gave their soul,
Shadows of the forms they held,
In this endless night's patrol.

From the light each one was sent,
Through the dark they made their way,
Cursed beasts beyond repent,
Craving for the break of day.

From the light each one was cast,
In the dark they made their home,
Far from their once noble past,
Ever more the night to roam.

His fangs have slowly dulled with age,
His wings have long been cut,
Yet still he feels the ancient rage,
From when the gates were shut.

He thinks back on the happy times,
Still dreams of better days,
The cool breeze of those lofty climbs,
Before this bitter haze.

His mind awash with memories,
The pain beyond compare,
His face a mask of pleasantries,
The truth so few could bear.

He prays each night to start anew,
Still hopes for something more,
To end the torment he’s been through,
So that his soul can soar.

He wakes in sweat and panicked breath,
Convinced that these are more than dreams,
The thought of her in pain and scared,
A vision far too real it seems.

Alone in darkness but for her,
Still lingering within his mind,
Her presence there but out of reach,
A mystery with clues to find.

He looks around, "Am I awake?"
Still sitting in his office chair,
A folder open- staring up,
The pages scattered everywhere.

"Pull yourself together, Tom!"
Awake for sure, he looks around,
The folder closed and clearly marked,
'Tom Archer - Clients: Lost and Found'.

The storm outside is bearing down,
A city wrapped in hail and snow,
Just as the dream had been, he's sure,
"Is it tonight?" he has to know.

A map is laid out on the floor,
With markers to each past attempt,
Now only one is left to try,
Tom bears the task no ill contempt.

His gun is set- now cocked and checked,
The holster safely by his chest,
He grabs the map and all his notes,
"It's time to put this thing to rest!"

With one last glance down at his sketch,
Those deep, soft eyes and blushing cheeks,
The golden halo of long hair,
He leaves for what his heart now seeks.

The door is closed, the wind so harsh,
His skin is cold, his coat pulled tight,
The streets are clear, save for the brave,
They rush around, soon out of sight.

The shops still serve, their doorways lit,
A stray dog barks from streets away,
Some dustbins fall two buildings down,
Tom knows each move before its play.

Around the corner, down the street,
He holds the map up like a shield,
Running now- he feels so close,
Through the gates, across the field.

The snow is thick around his boots,
His soaking coat stuck to his skin,
The hill is steep, he forges on,
His head is cloudy, in a spin.

Tom knows she's here, he feels her near,
This is the place, the time is right,
A little further up this hill,
He finds the door, still bolted tight.

The cold is bitter but he's strong,
All of his strength is mustered now,
With one charge, two, he's through the door,
He wipes the frost from coat and brow.

He hears a scrape, perhaps a cry,
A staircase down to dark unknown,
Tom takes the stairs at frantic speed,
A trip, a slip, or was he thrown?

The fall is short, the pain is brief,
The world goes black and there she is,
Smiling through those stunning eyes,
Reaching out, her hands touch his.

Then he's back, she's gone again,
Just lying there amongst the dregs,
His calls for help just echo back,
He moves to stand on shaky legs.

Unsteady but with work to do,
Tom checks his coat- the gun now gone,
His papers lost, the map gone too,
He has no choice- he must go on.

Across the ground he makes his way,
Not far away, a dim light's glow,
He's closer now, a haloed door,
Tom turns the handle, takes it slow.

No sign of life, no one in sight,
No distant sounds, nothing at all,
The air is cold, his movement slow,
Quite weary of another fall.

The map had marked this as a mine,
Abandoned long ago it seems,
Tom ploughs his mind for memories,
So much of this not from his dreams.

The light is dim and the way unclear,
But doors appear at either side,
A corridor of lockers shut,
The perfect place for one to hide.

Once again he hears that cry,
Closer now, sweat on his brow,
Further still he moves along,
He knows she's here, in pain somehow.

He feels the punch before it hits,
Yet still a blow that takes him down,
They scuffle in the dirt and grime,
A boot connects hard with his crown.

Tom knows his way around a brawl,
And holds his own against the brute,
He rolls aside and lands a kick,
Then grabs him by his dusty suit.

A punch, a kick, another roll,
Tom thrusts him hard against the floor,
The foe is down and now out cold,
No pulse to feel, though not for sure.

Tom checks his pockets, finds the gun,
A rusty key, all that he's found,
"The only way is up from here!"
He makes his way back to the sound.

Trying doors and rattling locks,
Tom finds one that does not quite match,
A bolted door with bars across,
He tries the key then pulls the latch.

Sliding open, naught but black,
Metallic scent strong in the air,
A scrape, a soft and muffled moan,
He moves on silently with care.

There against the wall, it seems,
A louder scraping and that cry,
Tom makes it to the shapeless form,
He touches rope and starts to pry.

Seconds pass that feel like hours,
But at last each rope comes free,
Skin meets skin, both pull away,
Tom knows it's her- it has to be.

He reaches out, she's screaming now,
Still muffled sound though through the gag,
"I'm here to help- you must believe!"
"Just relax…" he frees the rag.

She tries to run but falls down hard,
Tom rushes over, helps her stand,
"Just take it easy, try to rest",
"You're safe with me" he holds her hand.

Calming down now, breathing hard,
"Who are you? Why am I here?"
Tom hears her voice- a dream come true,
"My name is Tom, please have no fear!"

"I've searched for weeks to get to you!"
Her breathing fast, she lashes out,
"Please let me go- I don't know you,
Just tell me what this about?"

Tom takes a breath, he has to think,
"The man who brought you here is dead,
I searched each room and found you here."
There wasn't much more to be said.

She's calmer now, her breathing soft,
"Your voice, I know it from somewhere,
Where have we met? I don't recall...
I don't know why you seem to care!"

He smiles inside- not sure of why,
"We've met so many times, it seems,
You've been with me for several days,
Albeit only in my dreams."

She reaches out towards his face,
Caresses it to find the shape,
"You are the one- I knew you'd come!
Please help me- quick, we must escape!"

They stand to leave, still holding hands,
The lights come on, he's standing there,
"YOU CANNOT TAKE HER, SHE IS MINE!
YOU BEAT ME ONCE, LET'S MAKE IT FAIR!"

Tom pulls the gun- still cocked and set,
The shot is clean, the **** precise,
"Let's get a move on, now!" he cries,
"This is no time for playing nice!"

Out they bolt, they barely breathe,
Down the now-bright corridor,
Back to the site of Tom's short fall,
They find the stairs behind a door,

Up, and up, and up they go,
On, and on, and on they run,
Finally they reach the top,
Bursting out into the sun,

They take a breath then start again,
Running downhill with no delay,
Through the field and out the gate,
Up the street and across the way,

Safe at the door marked 'Private Eye'
They dash inside and slam the door,
Tom hears a scream and turns around,
She's seen the sketch, still on the floor,

"You really knew me all the time?
I've shared the dreams you've held so long,
I thought you'd be just one more shadow,
But, now I know, we must belong."

Tom smiles and hangs his coat back up,
"I've searched my life for you, it seems,
I knew I'd find you- someday soon,
For love- they say- creates our dreams."

What happened to our haven,
That most sacred of all towns,
What once was vibrant and alive,
Now home to mindless clowns,

What happened to our people,
Those children of the night,
Who once were strong and plenty,
Now shadows in the light,

What happened to our glory,
All that we swore to keep,
What once gave us true power,
Now simply makes us weep.

Crimson cloud devoid of light,
Drifting shadow in the night,
Sacred soldier of the right,
Heart and blade prepared to fight.

Carmine ripples in the flight,
Darkness fueled by noble plight,
Saved the grief of pain or fright,
One less remnant of this blight.

Scarlet rain on fields of white,
Painted canvas glowing bright,
Ascending through this ancient rite,
No more a simple acolyte.

Angels on a fiery wind,
screaming down at all who've sinned,
eyes a-gleam throughout the night,
frightened by unholy light,

the lord looks down upon the world,
a blackened darkness now unfurled,
no holy light can penetrate,
this cloud of sin will not sedate,

alas the world is at an end,
no mortal being shall now transcend,
the gates of heaven bolted tight,
the door to hell is now in sight,

Satan guards his world below,
he welcomes strangers, friend or foe,
to enter this, the world we've built,
a world of pain, of endless guilt,

a world to which we bring the young,
eternal torment now begun,
we live alone, no hope in sight,
enslaved in this eternal night.

The rising sun pervades my fear,
The danger growing ever near,
The loss of all I hold most dear,
This future that is so unclear.

The midday sun decays my hope,
The strength that once could help me cope,
The will with which I scaled each *****,
That final strand of fraying rope.

The setting sun consumes my sight,
The cold embrace of primal fright,
The dim remorse of carnal blight,
This dark descent into the night.

The rising moon now lights my way,
The warm invite to come and play,
The words no mortal man can say,
That final glimpse of my last day.

The midnight moon invades my dreams,
The book of life ripped at the seams,
The shadows of those distant screams,
This door to hell that ever gleams.

The setting moon soon closes in,
The end of all I once called kin,
The paper remnants of my skin,
That bid farewell to mortal sin.

Power courses through each vein,
Venom fills a tyrant's brain,
Her eyes will tell you that you're prey,
Her words will keep you far away.

Danger waits for mortal man,
When all is not done to her plan,
Her claws will tear away your skin,
Her voice will break the heart within.

Hunger fuels that brutal call,
Bloodlust victims one and all,
Her fangs will drain your body dry,
Her growl will haunt you till you die.

Love was not meant for her kind,
No equal for her soul to find,
Her touch too strong for those alive,
Her kiss a poison none survive.

Pain and torture are her friend,
To hell your soul she'll quickly send,
Her blade a silent enemy,
Her smile your final memory.

Karma may demand a fee,
The void may be her destiny,
Her rule will stand for now at least,
Her name will last once time has ceased.

When I'm far- I'm still quite near,
always there to calm your fear,
linking arms and courage shared,
always there each time you're scared.

When I'm out- I'm still about,
always there to ease your doubt,
keeping close and giving hope,
always there to help you cope.

When I'm gone- I'm still with you,
always there right next to you,
holding hands and hearts entwined,
always there for you to find.

Forget all that scares you and all of your woe,
Forget all the evil that you've come to know,
Forget all the heartache and all of the pain,
Forget all the horrors and come home again.

Forget all the demons that covet your soul,
Forget all those people who seek to control,
Forget all the worries that eat at your heart,
Forget all the dangers and make a new start.

Forget all the questions and all of the lies,
Forget all the things you've come to despise,
Forget all that's not of a happier time,
Forget all of this because now you are mine.

I speak the word of prophets
in my own profanity,

I find the book of answers
to lack all consistency,

I know the way of virtue
in its true simplicity,

I wear the cloak of beauty
to mask my depravity,

I hold the key to knowledge
of a great antiquity,

I walk the line of madness
at the edge of sanity,

I stare into the void
of our species' destiny,

I hear the ticking clock
of my own humanity.

Another journey travelled,
A step along the way,
A different road to travel as we conclude each day.

Another challenge levelled,
A hero from the fray,
A darker time to follow or so we hear them say.

Another dark cloud battled,
A force we cannot sway,
A demon rising deep within just sizing up its prey.

Another dream unravelled,
A blink in time’s decay,
A distant past forgotten in the memories we betray.

see wonder in that place so high,
as shapes and patterns fill the sky,

see magic in the smallest thing,
as insects crawl and robins sing,

see beauty in the world around,
as every sight and sense is found,

see every day as fresh and new,
as each brings greater things to do,

see nothing more than fun and game,
as no two moments are the same,

see life as it was meant to be,
as hope and love run wild and free.

Today we greet a different sun,
To shine on you all through this day,
An orb of light made just for one,
To keep the world going your way.

These words are my gift wrapping,
They contain my love inside,
A treasure without trapping,
For it has no need to hide.

I share this special gift with you,
To celebrate this wonderous time,
A friendship and a bond so true,
To make each moment feel sublime.

A dedication to a friend,
In hope you'll have a joyous day,
Across the oceans, this I send,
On this your very special day.

I see a child- so safe and sound,
with friends and family gathered round,
no worries for the life ahead,
no monsters underneath the bed.

I see a house where youth was spent,
a garden where the dog was sent,
a street where children laughed all day,
a school yard where they used to play.

I see a birthday- cake and all,
an accidental trip and fall,
a mother hugs the hurt away,
her kiss means more than words can say.

I see a car that travelled well,
the distance one could never tell,
a happiness in every face,
no need to rush nor up the pace.

I see a dance, a first love's kiss,
a time of hope and total bliss,
a child growing to a man,
a future set out to a plan.

I see a man, his glowing bride,
their families so full of pride,
so many friends are gathered 'round,
nothing but love and laughther found.

I see another place called home,
another child not yet grown,
another street where children play,
another life begins today.

my journey shown within these scenes,
my youth now lost but in these dreams,
the pictures end, the pages fold,
I close the book, this chapter told.

She has no fear of monsters,
That dwell beneath her bed,
Nor all the other creatures,
That haunt her fragile head.

She has no sense of danger,
To tell her when to stop,
Not shy of any stranger,
That life may chance to drop.

She has no thought of weakness,
To block this show of force,
Nor will she let the darkness,
Divert her from her course.

Safe within your cloak of sound,
Blocking out the world around,
Floating on angelic ground,
Hidden where you can be found.

Standing here against the wall,
Close enough to catch your fall,
Waiting at your beck and call,
Thinking how to make you stall,

Creeping just a step behind,
Always in my sights to find,
Keeping you in heart and mind,
Hoping you will act in kind,

Stepping out into your life,
Introductions with a knife,
Walking now like man and wife,
No one here to aid your strife,

Leaving you my sacred mark,
Putting out your angel's spark,
Pretty eyes now cold and dark,
A work of art so bold and stark,

Safe within my cloak of sound,
Thoughts of pain and death abound,
Keeping them deep in the ground,
Hidden so they can't be found.

Torrid lies in horrid dreams,
ruthless acts bring dreadful screams,
hopeless lives in empty bliss,
deathly wish through serpent's kiss,

questions lost to answers found,
secrets sold the world around,
dark and cold encompass light,
grounded souls in search of flight,

strong defended by the weak,
gods abandoned by the meek,
all to have but none to give,
long of life but not to live.

We’re born into this world without a choice of when or where,
We learn from those around us through their harm or through their care,
Though dreams of greater things will give us hope for better days,
Our path is often guided more by luck than other ways.

We’re taught that we have free will and though that may well be true,
We still depend on faith and hope to show us what to do,
Though some may claim to rule their lives and set their destiny,
The truth is that we’re all the same in man’s ignominy.

We’re born and we will die with little say in either case,
Too soon to change the world and far too late to win the race,
Though time is never ending all our lives are but a blink,
Our days are but a journey that ends sooner than we think.

She lies upon these scattered sands,
As scarlet streams run down her hands,
Her memories blurred by distant lands,
As slowly, softly, drained she stands,

She stares out on this foreign scene,
No sign of life, nor hint of green,
A charred and broken land picked clean,
No place for her, once so serene,

She leaves a path of crimson trails,
In lines across this path of nails,
Her vision blurred by smokey sails,
In panic as her balance fails,

She lies upon these bloodied sands,
Too weak to raise or feel her hands,
Her memories cleared of other lands,
Too late to see what darkness plans.

drifting in the sea of sleep,
lost in night's infernal keep,
rusted chains on life's stone wall,
ties that break as ages fall,
hopes and dreams of man's desire,
forged in time's immortal fire,
sacred thoughts the fires reap,
burning holes through mem'ries deep,
thoughts of love's eternal power,
fading with each passing hour,
leaving this most fragile shell,
never more these words to tell.

The days grow ever shorter,
The nights forever long,
The shadows of the past return to sing their tortured song.

The past never forgotten,
The future bare and bleak,
The dream of love died suddenly in one ill-fated week.

The years a lonesome battle,
The pain too much to bear,
The road has brought him to a place that no one else can share.

The further he has travelled,
The more he’s felt the loss,
The guilt a cold reminder each time he sees a cross.

The time now fast approaching,
The journey near its end,
The damage far beyond the realms of hope or faith to mend.

The panic slowly fading,
The cut is warm and deep,
The voices calling out to him to close his eyes and sleep.

The final pages turning,
The ending almost sweet,
The darkness brings him peace at last upon that silent street.

He read each status update and the comments that were shared,
Left a comment of his own to show that he too cared,
Then scanning through the profiles of each like that he received,
He found a kindred spirit that he hoped could be believed.

They spoke most every evening and shared jokes throughout the day,
No matter what was posted they just knew what words to say,
Their friendship quickly blossomed and future plans were set,
A promise to meet up for real with no worry or regret.

He found his quarry easily by check-in time and date,
No need for a routine when it's served up on a plate,
The days of stalking people just a story from the past,
Now everything you need is on the webpage they viewed last.

The address wasn't far away and not that hard to find,
He laughed at how the internet was built with this in mind,
Walking through the neighbourhood like home was just ahead,
No one could suspect what he had planned to do instead.

He peered into the window at his target unaware,
Lost in a realm of binary without a worldly care,
Staring deep into a glowing screen that held a phrase of dread,
"Close that Facebook window and look up at me instead!"

There is no star to light your way,
No peace within your mind,
No comfort in the words you say,
When freedom’s left behind.

There is no whisper in your ear,
No glint within your eye,
No spark to keep your friendships near,
When beauty is a lie.

There is no sun upon your skin,
No hope within your soul,
No release from your mortal sin,
When truth has lost control.

There is no touch upon your hand,
No love within your heart,
No warm embrace to help you stand,
When lovers drift apart.

Each born a mass of jaggered shards,
soon scattered like so many cards,
as through the years each piece is turned,
and joined or to the void returned,

Each fragment over time evolves,
the shape within each mind resolves,
as time wears on the lines are crossed,
and sections found soon can be lost,

Each aims to end this life intact,
alas we seldom keep that pact,
as through the years this puzzle turns,
and to the void each soul returns.

Now and then I wonder what,
Each race has fought to keep forgot,

Karma waits but always wins,
A punishment for all our sins,

Truth is we could fight no more,
United we could end all war.

Provided we can all be true,
Of this you must believe in too,

Else all of this we surely ****,
These lives we live naught but a sham,

Redemption waiting at a glance,
Yet each of us must take this chance.

Love is made but can't be bought,
Love is learned but can't be taught,

Love is life that cannot die,
Love is truth and cannot lie,

Love is how our hearts are freed,
Love is all we'll ever need.

Happy Valentine's Day!

see her grace, each move like air,
feel her close, her warmth and care,
hear her voice, each note a song,
let her show you right from wrong,

see her shape, each curve and line,
feel her warm, angelic shine,
hear her call, so soft and sweet,
let her sweep you off your feet,

see her way, so pure and kind,
feel her there, deep in your mind,
hear her thoughts, her hopes and dreams,
let her show that loves redeems.

His shadow still walks next to her,
the wind still calls his name,
the days have gone by in a blur,
but still she feels the same.

She curls up with his memory,
for now lost in her dreams,
for all that they had planned to be,
and never would it seems.

His shadow still walks by her side,
the loss still haunts her mind,
the months have drifted with the tide,
no peace for her to find.

Her heart will learn to trust again,
in time her wounds will heal,
in days to come she'll love again,
despite how she may feel.

His shadow still walks close behind,
the tears less painful now,
the years lost in the daily grind,
she's learned to cope somehow.

She smiles a bit from time to time,
a little more each day,
a glimpse of something once sublime,
that will return someday.

His shadow still walks next to her,
the pain in shadow too,
the distant days lost in a blur,
a dawn of something new.

Her life is very different now,
all darkness in the past,
all that she feels is love now,
and the faith that it will last.

His shadow still walks in her stead,
the world would hardly know,
the pain still kept deep in her head,
but time has helped her grow.

She now has love to keep her strong,
a partner through life's game,
a son they've both sought for so long,
who shares that long lost name.

I walk a path that none can see,
Just half of who I aught to be,
Apart from all so near to me,
Imprisoned by my destiny,

I walk a path that none can know,
Just following where I must go,
A glimpse is all that I can show,
Enslaved to wander to and fro,

I walk a path that none can flee,
Just watching all that I could be,
A shadow that no one can see,
This shade that is the real me.

Today will be a brand new day,
A chance to do things your own way,
To forgive all that they might say,
and put all doubt and fear away.

Today will be a brand new start,
A chance to see beyond the art,
To learn the secrets of your heart,
and let the past at last depart.

Today will be your time to shine,
A chance at last to draw the line,
To seek more than just the benign,
and set the world to your design.

Sitting here I wonder how,
Looking over at you now,
All the goodness of our race,
Is mirrored in your lovely face.

Sitting here I wonder why,
Stretching out before my eye,
All the world is but a stage,
Of actors breathing hate and rage.

Sitting here I wonder when,
Hoping peace will come again,
All the lies that we have told,
Will save the lives that have been sold.

Sitting here I wonder what,
Thinking of all we've begot,
All our dark destructive past,
Has brought to bear on us at last.

Running through this foreign land,
Sifting through the dust and sand,
Digging in a frenzied burst,
Nothing there to quench my thirst,

Tripping on the rock of doubt,
Ground is cracking all about,
Falling through the clouds of hope,
Grabbing for life's fraying rope,

Time is lost in blinding light,
Earth and sky lost from my sight,
Terror echoes through my scream,
In my bed, naught but a dream.

Storm clouds darkening with dread,
Hanging here above my head,
Hiding from the skies they’ve fled,
Floating on the fear they’re fed.

Darkness looking for its kind,
Shadows roam each maze they find,
Digging through my weakened mind,
Leaving nothing safe behind.

Empty visions roaming free,
Dreamless void all I can see,
Hollow shell that once was me,
Alone forever more to be.

His mind is full of secrets and his heart consumed by lies,
His soul forever wandering as Mother Mary cries,
Destruction in his wake and naught but pain and hurt to find,
A demon to the world around despised by all mankind.

His voice knows only anger and his eyes show no remorse,
His hate like fire burning fuelled by hell’s eternal force,
Damnation is his mission and disaster his true cause,
A nightmare incarnation baring fangs and golden claws.

His form is known to many though he goes by different names,
His reach is far and varied ever growing through his claims,
Corruption is his promise to this world in his control,
For he is the beast in all of us- the shadow on our soul.

Glimpse the light of ancient lore,
read the signs to find the door,

free your mind from the profane,
seek the truth in the arcane,

know the light from the abyss,
keep your brother from re-miss,

walk the path that others seek,
see and hear but never speak.

No clouds tonight- the sky so clear,
Standing here with no one near,
Dreaming of a future time,
Waiting for you to be mine,

No lamp to taint the dark of night,
Sitting here- no one in sight
Hoping there is still a chance,
Waiting for our turn to dance,

No stars tonight- the moon alone,
Laying here all on my own,
Wishing there was more to this,
Waiting here for true-love's kiss.

Walking here amongst the ******,
Wings long stripped and turned to dust,
Left to fend and stand alone,
Silver skin long tinged with rust,

Walking down amongst the beast,
Staring up towards the sky,
Dreams of ancient memories,
Stolen from that place so high,

Walking here amongst the lost,
Fangs and claws long dulled with age,
Drowning in their blissful trance,
Fighting to control the rage.

I live and walk the world at night,
my home and haven have no light,
my heart and soul are black and grim,
my life is filled with naught but sin,

I live alone and without hope,
I often wonder how I cope,
I live on death, and feed on life,
I lavish in each mortal's strife,

I walk amongst you through the dark,
as if I’m some immortal shark,
I hunger for all that you've seen,
my lust is for what could have been,

I fear not death, but feareth life,
it cuts me deep, as if a knife,
it's blade runs right into my core,
I wonder if I will endure,

I once had hopes and dreams and prayers,
I once had love and faith and cares,
alas I’ve lost all that I had,
enslaved and chained, my soul is bad,

I call to mortals, through the cold,
please value that which you hold,
that which I, and many more,
have lost, now and forever more,

Think about the world around,
each tiny ant upon the ground,
and value all that life has here,
and never hide from any fear,

We call you from the darkened cave,
deep within an earthly grave,
Think before you enter here,
live your life, cry a tear,

Live a life of joyous games
and seek all that this life contains,
This life is yours and that is all,
and never to the depths you’ll fall.

Make me happy,
Make me sad,
Make me all that gets you mad,

Give me colour,
Give me shape,
Give me wings for my escape,

Take my essence,
Take my heart,
Take my image in your art,

Keep me captive,
Keep me whole,
Keep me framed in your control.

My heart is but a grain of sand,
a broken shard of something grand,
dispersed across a frozen land,
for reasons none can understand.

My soul is but an empty shell,
forged within the fires of hell,
born of dreams I cannot tell,
enslaved by fears I cannot quell.

My life is but a cruel disguise,
a role no mortal would reprise,
a play the very gods despise,
this torment hidden in my eyes.

I stare into his hungry eyes,
Once so well known to me,
This stranger standing in his place,
A shade of what could be.

I trace the lines upon his face,
Once naked to the eye,
This wanderer of world’s unknown,
With no tears left to cry.

I touch the cold ice of his cheek,
Once warm and flushed with joy,
This silent hunter of the night,
Turned monster from a boy.

I watch him lick his blood-tinged fangs,
Once shaped to form a smile,
This creature from the dark abyss,
Grown stronger all the while.

I close my eyes to sense his mind,
Once so in tune with mine,
This demon of another time,
That loves to cross the line.

I walk away from his embrace,
Once all I’d hoped to feel,
This symbol of a secret life,
Too dark to be made real.

I close the door and turn the key,
Once kept far out of reach,
This chance to be a better man,
Now all that I beseech.

walls do not imprison me;
nor chains restrict my whole;
guards do not watch over me;
nor kings command my soul;

laws do not direct my fate;
nor chance affect my goal;
time does not my life sedate;
nor routine take its toll;

love shows not it’s all to me;
nor hope present its light;
joy lends not its warmth to me;
nor freedom end this fight.

touch the angel, feel her pain,
take her hand, be whole again,

kiss the angel, dry her tears,
keep her close as evil nears,

hold the angel, feel her breath,
hope in vain to escape death,

leave the angel, gone for good,
now alone where both you stood.

Take me from this place I know,
Take me from the grip of pain,
Take me from this world of hate,
Take me back from hell’s domain,

Take me from this place I grieve,
Take me from the wrong I’ve done,
Take me from this land of shame,
Take me back where this begun,

Take me from this place I fear,
Take me from the path I roam,
Take me from this world of doubt,
Take me back to see my home.

Stare into the dark abyss,
to steal the ancient serpent's kiss,
avoid the light that angels throw,
into the world of man below,
reap the spoils of dark delight,
secure in hell and out of sight.

A species long removed from beast,
yet in the way we walk and feast,
our origins can still be found,
despite belief we're somehow crowned.

In all that makes us who we are,
our ancient ego is by far,
our greatest gift and darkest curse,
to come so far and yet reverse.

As through our deeds we rule the land,
and praise ourselves for all we've planned,
yet in the end we're all deceased,
for we are no more god than the beast.

Deep within this heart of mine,
drowning in the sands of time,
searching for a sacred sign,
dreaming of a world sublime.

Deep within the heart of me,
thoughts i cannot truly see,
dreams that cannot ever be,
chains that will not set me free.

Deep within this heart of mine,
wising i could draw the line,
tiring of the endless climb,
crying for the final time.

A heart that loves beyond all doubt,
A symbol of what life’s about,
You are the better half of me,
The proof that we were meant to be.

A saviour in my darkest day,
A soul to help me on my way,
You are my angel in the night,
Forever guiding with your light.

A warm embrace to end each day,
A kiss to hold the pain at bay,
You are all I could ever need,
The suture to the ink I bleed.

A seed grown from the wars of love,
A sacred gift sent from above,
You are my precious Tudor rose,
How I deserve you no one knows.