When the last ray of sunlight
Fades beyond the darkened trees
And the owl's mournful call
Hides the day's song of bliss

When the pale rose of sunset
Melds with night's velvet black
Then you'll hear the soft footsteps
On the worn, mossy track

Eyes of wisdom eternal, and sorrow
Echoing darkness's sweet song
Graceful soft footsteps, whispering, calling
Speaking of life which had once seemed so long...

When did those feet twirl through the grasses
Seeking the warmth of the sun and the earth
When did those hands brush away human tresses
Curling up near a warm, homely hearth...

Laughing and singing, of happiness fleeting
Thinking that life was so simple and pure
Seeing the smile of her mother, unwitting
Within soft, strong arms found all little hurts' cure.

When did the smiles that she saw turned and shimmered
Angry, and furious, killing and cruel?
When did the sun light a scene of pure evil?
When did the wise man become the great fool?

Seeing her mother, pale and crying
Seeing the smirks of those she'd called friends
Falling and screaming, hurting and dying
All under that one word's 'good' foul pretense

Horror beseeched her, running in fear
Footsteps so soft on the carpet of grass
Enemies, friends, were becoming unclear -
Night's firm embrace did save her at last

There, with the sad howls of wolves in the moonlight
Wise owl's call in the darkest of nights
Sadness and strength in a painful admission
Taught the soft footsteps their deadliest flight

No longer the victim, no longer the hunted
No longer a slave to the light's old pretense
Rising in strength, understanding unbound
Dancing through night with death's deadly dance.

Paleness replaced what was once a bright suntan
Bloodred replaced the rose of her lips
Sadness and wisdom took innocence's kingdom
Given to her by the dark's gentle kiss

Now, when the stars light the skies with their glory
Crickets' loud song is the herald for her
Soft nighttime footsteps reveal her dark figure
Always remembering when light closed its door.


Penned by my hand on the 25th of Severin, in the year 54 MA.