Bitter Brew

BITTER BREW


I came for all the reasons
that I learned throughout my years.
I listened like a child because
a child has not the sense to pause
and pay heed to his fears.

I listened to the singing
of the leaders of the land.
I came to make a people free:
a bearer of Democracy!
I came to make a stand.

I listened, oh, I listened,
to every voice which cried,
that evil must be cleansed and burned
and from a foreign land be spurned.
I filled with glowing pride!

I brought my oath and rifle
with me to this distant shore.
And with my beating heart and breath
did seek to bring about more death
in Patriotic War!


...Oh, Mother,
what have I become?
I, your loving son?
...Oh, Father,
tell me what to do?
I, who now am you!


The Bitter Brew now courses
all throughout my hardened veins.
I drank it 'till it caused my soul
to blacken like the ebon coal
and mark me with its stains!

I came for all the reasons
that I never should have heard.
For all the truths you sang to me
dressed up in their false finery,
without an honest word.

I wish to play no longer,
but that will take some skill.
More likely you will take my death
and dress it in a different breath,
then use it as you will!

And you'll just stir my essence
up into your Bitter Brew.
Within the Eye of God, a mote
am I no more.  And so 'twas wrote.
And written thus, adieu...