even in the darkest hour;
valiant, she wields this power;

echoes cry of bygone age;
legends leap from history's page;

yielding not to evil deed;
never fail, the call to heed.

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.

Words abound, my mind a-clutter,
Like a swarm, they buzz and flutter,

Catching each one as they land,
Holding them here in my hand,

Building chains to solve the maze,
Bound in ink to clear the haze,

Pages that I soon reveal,
All to tell you how I feel.

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.

Though seldom do I see you,
And not often do we speak,

I always think about you,
Every day of every week,

There is a magic to you,
In the things you do and say,

And truly do I wish you,
A most glorious Birthday.

We’re searching for a new life,
Hoping for a change,
Wishing for a miracle,
Feeling like we’re strange.

No matter how we may feel,
Or what may come our way,
We’ll keep on moving forward,
With each and every day.

We’re taking up the challenge,
Breaking every mould,
Keeping our momentum,
Striving to be bold.

No matter what we may see,
Or where the road may lead,
We’ll keep on making progress,
With every noble deed.

We’re building for the future,
Fighting for some peace,
Dreaming of a new dawn,
Desperate for release.

No matter where we end up,
Or how the world may end,
We’ll keep on getting better,
With each new twist and bend.

We’re standing at the impasse,
Waiting for our turn,
Planning for the new world,
Sharing all we learn.

No matter who we become,
Or when the day will be,
We’ll keep on making changes,
With every chance we see.

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.

It's hard to see the light within with darkness all around,
impossible for peace to reign when war is all we've known,
no way to change our future when we're still stuck in the past,
so difficult to be more than the soil from which you've grown.

It's hard to see through others eyes when blinded by your own,
Impossible for hands to meet when words of hate abound,
no way to change who you will be when lost in who you are,
so difficult to save this world when hope cannot be found.

It's hard to seek the higher path when fighting from a trench,
impossible to be yourself when dogma guides your soul,
no way to change the world if all you have is not your own,
so difficult to take a stand when you have no control.

It's hard to seek another way though few will ever try,
Impossible to be one race when colour isn't blind,
no way to change religion with our egos still intact,
too difficult to challenge lies with truth none want to find.

what maketh rain and shadow fall,
what maketh nature heed its call;

what maketh day to follow night,
what maketh love the mind to fight;

what maketh dream the heart to speak,
what maketh death the soul to seek;

what maketh hope and peace to reign,
what maketh war the world in pain.

And so the curtain closes on another mortal year,
the shadows still fall close behind but light stands ever near,
staring deep into the void of all life’s hope and fear,
we smile for all that’s yet to be and those we hold most dear.

For though the sun soon sets upon the times that have gone by,
the dawn will bring another chance for each of us to try,
to change the world around us as we gaze towards the sky,
And be the best that we can be and never let love die.

So let the clock tick down the time towards the final hour,
Worry not on what's ahead and do not hide or cower,
Make your future plans with all that lies within your power,
Build a new life rich in love to be your cherished dower.

Creatures of angelic grace,
Hide their true demonic face,
Spreading out across the earth,
Further still with each new birth,

Soulless beasts with no remorse,
Parasites to each resource,
Taking what was never free,
Driven by a fallacy,

Insects lining up for death,
Drawing out their final breath,
Nature will regain her hold,
Once our bones have long gone cold.

These veins are filled with ink not blood, 
The product of my broken dreams, 
Each thought lost in the tortured flood, 
That flows through me in endless streams.

These bones are draped in words not skin, 
The scribbled flesh of paper life, 
Each page turned by another sin, 
In lines drawn from my scars and strife.

These eyes are filled with ink not tears, 
The count of distant memories, 
Each drop a moment through the years, 
Where darkness claimed my sympathies.

These lungs contain dark words not air, 
The essence of what I’ve become, 
Each breath reveals a soul laid bare, 
A fate to which I must succumb.

This heart is filled with ink not love, 
A faceless clock that ticks in me, 
Each beat a curse from high above, 
That keeps me from all I could be.

I used to be so innocent,
I used to be so sweet,
I used to be so small and weak,
Just crawling round your feet.

You used to dress and wash me,
You used to hold my hand,
You used to be the strength I lacked,
Before I'd learnt to stand.

I'll always be your baby,
I'll always be right here,
I'll always need you with me,
To help me face my fear.

You have to see I'm growing,
You have to feel the change,
You have to let me take a risk,
Although it may feel strange.

I'm learning more of who I am,
I'm learning how to stand,
I'm learning to be more grown up,
I know you'll understand.

To walk, to run, to fly away,
in bliss where hopes and dreams can play,

To speak, to sing, to guide the way,
in words no mortal man can say,

To sleep, to dream, to drift away,
in dark devoid of yesterday,

To live, to die, to win the day,
in time to beg our souls to stay.

As the tuna swim by,
and the manta ray fly,
hear the sound of the mer-maiden's wail,

When the turtle looks out,
from its shell at the spout,
of the ship with the white shredded sail,

In the eye of the shark,
there's a smile in the dark,
at the glint of the mer-maiden's tail,

As the lobster ***** scuttle,
'cross a broken glass bottle,
the weakened girl surely must fail,

The hunter now gone,
like the mer-maiden's song,
and the turtle returns to the sail.

The expectation of a world that forces me to feel,
Like medication on the wounds of battles from the past,
Through meditation on the hope that one day scars will heal,
To resignation of the fact that nothing good can last.

This hesitation in my mind of all that could go wrong,
In relegation of my dreams and hopes for days ahead,
This trepidation on each truth I've held inside so long,
Brings elevation of the fears locked deep within my head.

Through dedication to the wants of anyone but me,
Like desperation for the praise and pressure that I need,
The revelation of a life not lived as it should be,
Shows recognition of the time spent letting my heart bleed.

When flagellation of my soul at last comes to an end,
The desolation of my mind will surely take its hold,
That isolation of a life devoid of any friend,
An affirmation that the fire inside of me is cold.

With conjugation of my choices and the life I see,
Comes realisation that the road I walk is one I made,
An affectation for dramatic verse and poetry,
Just confirmation that my soul has been too long in shade.

Though condemnation of the past is bittersweet at best,
A retribution for a curse imposed upon myself,
This contemplation of the present ever seems to test;
The concentration on my future state of mind and health.

While recitation of these thoughts could be cause for concern,
Continuation of this written therapy is key,
Through repetition of these lines the pain will slowly burn,
And immolation of the past will someday set me free.

I am me,
A force unknown,
A weapon forged or rather grown.

I am me,
A unique soul,
Not perfect but still in control.

I am me,
A different beast,
A complete person now at least.

Six years gone and here we stand,
in memory of us holding hands,
through vows declaring truest love,
in front of men and gods above.

Six years gone and more to come,
you always were and are the one,
through every dark and lonely time,
you've always helped my soul to shine.

Six years gone and here we are,
we've travelled hard and very far,
through all the pain and every fear,
we grow much stronger every year.

Six years gone and five as three,
as perfect as we'd wish to be,
through everything that comes our way,
as one we'll always win the day.

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.

She walks in shadows of lost love,
all her dreams long left behind,
abandoned by the gods above,
lost too long for them to find.

Dark clouds hang above her heart,
drops of rain that drench her soul,
cold winds blowing through her mind,
tears beyond her self control.

She stares into the lake of hope,
the waves reflecting on her face,
she lets go of life’s fraying rope,
to find true love in death’s embrace.

Few have had the life you've known,
The tainted soil from which you've grown,
The things your eyes have since been shown,
The hell to which your soul was thrown.

None could now be who your are,
Without each deep and painful scar,
Yet still your eyes gleam like a star,
Despite all that has been so far.  

For all the years that have gone by,
With every tear you've dared to cry,
Through each new road you've had to try,
Your heart at last has reached the sky.

And here you stand for all to see,
The master of your destiny,
A hero for the world and me,
Remembered for eternity.

Step into my tortured mind,
greet the shadows that you find,
help me find my way again,
stay with me and keep me sane.

Slip into my fractured heart,
gather up each broken part,
help me to be whole once more,
drag me back towards your shore.

Sneak into my damaged soul,
free it from this dark control,
help me see beyond the past,
teach me how to love at last.

So we boarded the bus, just the dreamer and me,?
as it pulled away from all we'd hated be,?
to the screech of the wheels on the road out of hell,?
in the dark of the night by the demon clock's bell.

So we drove through the night, just the dreamer and me,?
as the dawn light broke over the black Lost Soul sea,?
to the cries of our kin from the mountains above,?
that they know in their hearts that we need to find love.

So we rallied a cry, just the dreamer and me,?
as we reached the last checkpoint to set us both free,?
with the breath of the horde on the back of our necks,?
not a moment too soon did we pay our respects.

So we bid them farewell, just the dreamer and me,?
as the barrier closed on that world few will see,?
with a song in our hearts and smile on each face,?
we rejoiced at the chance to re-join our true race.

So we came to a stop, just the dreamer and me,?
as the road brought us to all we'd wanted to be,?
from the hatred and pain we once saw all around,?
to the love and the joy that we’d never have found.?

So we rested our heads, just the dreamer and me,?
as we thought about all that had caused us to flee,?
from this day to the end we will cherish this chance,?
as we move hand in hand to this sweet mortal dance.

The heart is very fragile,
In many different ways,
Forever taking damage,
As we go through our days.

The heart has no religion;
Nor an ideology,
It has no moral compass,
Just a need for empathy.

The heart is very special,
A treasure to behold,
A gift we share with caution,
A risk saved for the bold.

The heart may be a riddle,
Wrapped in a mystery,
A puzzle too complex to solve,
Unless you hold the key.

The games we play ‘tween me and you,
defined by all we have been through,
our wants pervert each oath we make,
our needs defend each rule we break.

The nights we spend ‘tween me and you,
desired by all we thought we knew,
our bodies locked in dark embrace,
our hearts abandoned in disgrace.

The words we say ‘tween me and you,
defiled by all we feel and do,
our souls corrupted by each lie,
our dreams disrupted as we cry.

The life we share ‘tween me and you,
defaced by all we hang on to,
our bond nought but a fantasy,
our love nothing but fallacy.

All that you've said will be said tomorrow,
all that you have done will be done once more,
though your heart was once all mine to follow,
you needed more than my love could endure.

Nothing you can say to change tomorrow,
nothing you can do as the damage is done,
though you may find a new love to borrow,
nothing can stop that which first you begun.

All that is left can't save our tomorrow,
nothing to do but to start it again,
though you will cry it can't end the sorrow,
dragging my heart and soul far from your den.

All that you've said will be said tomorrow,
all that you have done will be done once more,
though your heart was once all mine to follow,
you needed more than my love could endure.

Nothing you can say to change tomorrow,
nothing you can do as the damage is done,
though you may find a new love to borrow,
nothing can stop that which first you begun.

All that is left can't save our tomorrow,
nothing to do but to start it again,
though you will cry it can't end the sorrow,
dragging my heart and soul far from your den.

Buildings tall through foggy streets,
Ripples drift 'cross waters deep,
Dawn light bright but air still cold,
As zombies march away from sleep.

Winding paths through ancient streets,
Skyline changing through the years,
Blue gold skies to please the eyes,
Through masks suppressing hopes and fears.

Footsteps filling silent streets,
Drifters searching out their spark,
Sun beams trace each cracked façade,
Where greater men have left their mark.

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.

The record spins again today,
Each note without repeat,
A revolution just begun,
This song far from complete.

The beat kicks up another notch,
The bridge not far behind,
A melody unique to me,
A chorus yet to find.

The lyrics cast their spell once more,
The words more than they seem,
The story of my life so far,
My future still to dream.

A cry for help, so much to tell,
so trapped within this empty shell.

A cry for help, a hopeless cause,
so lost in life's infernal wars.

A cry for help, a life in shame,
a time to act- to end this game.

A cry for help, the battle ends,
the final tear as dark descends.

Sadness fills his lonely heart,
As they kiss and drift apart,
Nothing left where once was love,
Lost within the stars above,

Madness fills his fragile mind,
As his dreams are left behind,
Nothing left of who he was,
Shadows follow all he does,

Gladness fills his weary soul,
As he gives up all control,
Nothing left to keep him here,
Dark tides wash away his fear.

Her heart once meant the world to him,
her smile all he desired,
but time has let the fires dim,
their passion long expired.

His trust once meant so much to her,
his faith all she could need,
but time has let the pages blur,
their story gone to seed.

This dream once meant true love to them,
this chance all they could want,
but time has let the world condemn,
their future not to grant.

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.

Love is born and starts to grow,
Beyond all ways our hearts could know,
Though times may change and youth may go,
True love shines now and ever so.

Love is blind and without fear,
Beyond all doubt and ever dear,
Though hard to see it’s ever near,
In every smile and each warm tear.

Love is deeper than the sea,
Beyond all realms that we could see,
The force that binds and sets us free,
Reserved for those like you and me.

hearts combined before their birth,
two souls entwined beyond this earth,
together through the trail of years,
in balance by their hopes and fears,

the gods throw obstacles their way,
deception tempts true hearts to stray,
yet strengthened by each call to arms,
the lines are drawn against their qualms.

disaster brings the gift of strife,
as chaos reigns upon their life,
yet even in those darkest hours,
neither shrinks away or cowers.

a universe of hate and pain,
attacks their strength and hope again,
yet even through the worst of times,
their unity forever shines.

And when the final die is cast,
no future left but in the past,
they drift into obscurity,
for love transcends mortality.

How can I describe a world,
where you and I are not as one,
a place where we have never met,
a time when our love's not begun,

How can I describe a scene,
where you and I are not to be,
a place where we were lost to hope,
a time our souls could not be free,

How can I describe a hell,
where you and I are far apart,
a place where we are still alone,
a time before you healed my heart,

How can I describe a dream,
where you and I are one at last,
a place where we live happily,
a time where love reshapes the past

Love, the master of my soul,
Guide my hand and take control,
See in me all that you crave,
Ever shall I be your slave,

Love, the mistress of my heart,
Share with me your sacred art,
See in me all that is true,
Ever shall I follow you,

Love, the angel of my mind,
Keep the secrets that you find,
See in me all that you are,
Ever shall I wear your scar.

Once we shared a single heart,
Never dreamed we’d be apart,
Found all that we needed here,
Never felt the grip of fear,

Now we share these broken shards,
All this fighting on the cards,
Finding we have nothing left,
All our feelings long bereft,

Once we shared a single life,
Seldom grieved or wept in strife,
Found our days were full of light,
Seldom felt the cold of night,

Now we share this empty life,
Gone the days of man and wife,
Finding secrets in the lies,
Gone the love that glazed our eyes,

Once we shared a single thought,
Always made up when we fought,
Lost ourselves in each embrace,
Always felt there was no race,

Now we share no thoughts at all,
Nothing there to break our fall,
Losing what still kept us friends,
Nothing left when true love ends.

I am the puppet master,
you are my broken doll,
your soul in my dominion,
your heart in my control.

I am the puppet master,
you are my little toy,
your voice an echo of my own,
your thoughts in my employ.

I am the puppet master,
you are my greatest prize,
you’ve turned the tables on me,
you’ve tamed me with your eyes.

I am the puppet master,
you are my sacred dove,
you’ve brought light to the darkness,
you’ve filled my heart with love.

I am the puppet master,
you are my only friend,
your embrace will complete me,
your death will be my end.

I wish you were with me tonight,
My room lit up by candlelight,
I’d look at you from toe to head,
Your hair a a-glow, a fiery red,

I’d hold you gently in my arms,
To clear your mind of any qualms,
I’d whisper slowly in your ear,
To tell that you need not fear,

I’d run my fingers through your hair,
Then down your cheeks, your skin so fair,
I’d kiss you on your lips so sweet,
A kiss to sweep you off your feet,

I’d take you in my arms once more,
And pray you’d stay forever more,
To always have you by my side,
Would be, to me, the greatest pride.

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.

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.

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.

Ants- we work in endless toil,
Hurried feet across the soil,
Stopping just to procreate,
Then once more unto our fate,

Rats- we all live underground,
Scurried thoughts and whispered sound,
Surfacing for work and play,
Then back down come night or day.

Birds- we flock to distant lands,
Fluttered wings across the sands,
Making nests we hope will last,
Soon forgotten in our past,

Men- we take all that we see,
Muttered claims of destiny,
Building what we cannot grow,
Destroying all we do not know.

Silence the anger and swallow the pride,
stifle the scream and keep it inside.

Focus the feelings that eat at your soul,
block out all thoughts beyond your control.

Take a step back to see what is true,
know that this life is more than just you.

within my mind; an angel's light,
to guide me through the endless night,

within my heart; an angel's soul,
dispelling evil's dark control,

Within my arms; an angel's form,
protection from the demon swarm,

Within my bed; an angel's love,
to lift me to the skies above.

If I could live a thousand years,
I’ll never find another you,
For no one else that I could meet,
Will make me feel the way you do.
    
If I could cry a thousand tears,
I never would get over you,
For no one else could fill the void,
Nor make up for all we’ve been through.
    
If I could best a thousand fears,
I’d still be scared of losing you,
For no one else will take your place,
Within this heart that still beats true.

To live is more than just to breathe,
More than a sword to wield and sheathe,
Though battles rage at every turn,
I will not let those fires burn.

Life is a dream- a world of chance,
So take my hand and join the dance
And make each step a star to count,
To bring our love into account,

To live is more than just to be,
Especially when you’re not with me,
Tis more than just that empty bed,
Where still you lay your precious head,

Life is true love- a world for two,
A place where I can be with you,
To spend our days as man and wife,
And make this one a perfect life.

This flame that burns inside today,
a thorn that bleeds my heart away,
through thoughts i'd never dare to say,
this cause to which my life i lay.

This voice within my mind today,
a scream that clears the rest away,
through dreams that in my mind still play,
this darkness turns my skin to clay,

This knife that takes a life today,
a soul released to drift away,
through words that i can barely say,
this place in which my secrets stay.

Acolyte of ancient kings,
Student of the primal scribe,
Sacred bird that ever sings,
Words no man can now describe.

Offspring of this fledgling realm,
Sailor of the modern way,
Faceless masters at the helm,
Shaping out this brand new day.

Seeker of the inner truth,
Writer of the dark within,
Chronicles back to my youth,
Memoirs for my future kin.