Once upon a dead, cold night, the wind howling with all its might
I’m curled near my fireplace, shielded by walls of stone.
Yet even near the glowing-blue flames, I shiver all the same.
But the fire is not to blame, for the chill seeping through my bones.
The icy fist closed over my heart, the grip as hard as stone
Leaves me with no other choice but to bear the cold alone.

The one way to melt that ice comes at a heavy price.
I try to fight the image, but your face swims to my mind--
Mischievous and dark-eyed, with a childish grin so wide.
Youth and immaturity aside, your heart was naturally kind.
Despite the fondness I felt for you, you stayed a child in my mind.
Until little by little, the walls around my heart you undermined.

It took me too long to see what you were becoming to me--
How my life’s dimming light grew brighter around you.
My days grew more dreary and my soul more weary
My focus grew bleary, but the fog lifts when I see you.
As the bond between our souls grew and grew
There was nothing your smile could not get me through.

Time rushed on, dragging us painfully along
Hardening the planes of your once-childish face--
Setting a serious light into eyes still so very bright
Yet still, our love is impossible outright in this rule-bound place
Which cares not which demons a lonely soul must face.
I pleaded the heavens, but virtue is cruel and shows no grace.

The connection we have, each smile, each touch, each laugh
Both my brightest treasure and my hardest memory
To what sinful depths must I act--to keep my one treasure intact?
The devil offers a pact knowing heaven and earth have no mercy.
What’s there to live for in a world that has abandoned me?
What’s there to stop the devil from giving me my love--and setting me free?