The Next Stage

The Next Stage


Adrift amongst the ashes of a burned out castle’s bridge

I can barely see the sunrise as it moves above the ridge


It’s taken one half century to realize my existence

I have made it this far with a rancor taste persistent


My raft, a mere plank of protruding nails and splinters wore

As I float; I dream and ponder what for my life might be in store


In the darkness, the moats crystal liquid seems much colder

With statements of time and space, thy predictions ring bolder


Why must I witness the destruction of the kingdom I held so dear?

Is it testament of faith and hope or scenes of engulfing selfish fear?


I make my way through the debris of death and wasted glory

To the walls of this moat damp with the blood of untold silent stories


Summoning what’s left of my strength, I grasp and claw at the stone

Alas nothing left as my tattered flesh falls atop with a thud, drops alone


Looking down, I can barely see the rippled reflection of what’s happened to me

Flames soaring higher as my ears fill with screams as the dying they plead


Has it taken this display of ignorance to reset the focus of the elder’s sight?

Or shall this be it, the end of all as we have come to recognize as right?


My attempts to stand are filled with struggle and pain, my sword in my hand

Its use becomes that of a crutch, as this warrior’s blade obeys my command


It is now that I notice, like a ghost on the wind upon royal blood breed

A vision prolific of charismatic beauty approaches atop this champion steed


I raise my sword, its blade dull and tarnished, expelling my cold hardened breath

“Fear not” she whispers “I come to bring you life, not deliverance of death”


She extended a hand, pure and white, free of callous as never having touched

Reluctantly I reach slowly towards the satin white skin, then back to my weapon I clutch


“What form of sorcery be you fair maiden; clean of the war and the deeds of my enemy?”

“This trickery is of the dark as thou showeth nary a sign of what flows in the air so free”


“Your despise understood but my gaze flows of peace, I am arrived so thou exits this place”

I look for deception but find only love in a truer form than I have ever seen, in her face


Touching her hand my strength is restored, with ease I mount her stallion of white

My sword falls firmly piercing the ground, as I reach for its hilt, it vanishes from my sight


“Where we ride that will not be needed for love and prosperity is all that is found”

“This place where it fell will take on its glory for the dead as they rest in the ground”


“Your new life waits with wondered adventure and harmonious bliss to wear as your shield”

“Words filled with wisdom are now your device, destructive weapons you no longer shall yield”


What be thy name, how should I address such beauty that hath rescued me from my fate

I am called Christina, though be aware it is you who shall rescue us before the hours negate


The Goddess Christina, she appeared to me in a dream more beautiful than I remember

Her fragrance hypnotic and enchanting so that my heart is full, a burning ember


As we ride my mind dreams of the future, the next stage off in the distance, questions starting to stir

With this feeling euphoria, the love that is seeping down into my soul, I happily ride there with her


To be continued…….