The Flickering

(I am a Man, afraid) I am a Man, afraid

(As I plant my feet) As I stand alone before the bridge

(and watch my comrades fade) I watch my comrades fade

(through the grip of embracing mists) into the veil of their concealing gloom

until I am left in their past

(As day gives way to dusk) While the sunlight flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, apart) I am a Man, resolved

(As I brace myself against this burden) As I stand alone before the bridge

(to guard the way Home) I turn my back on Home

(As life for the lifeless I stand,) and raise my sword in willing hands,

though the sun will never rise for me again

(As I’m cleansed by fire) While the gloaming flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, resigned) I am a Man, assuaged

(As fear stalks my ragged shadow) As I stand alone before the bridge

(For the gift of hope is only mine to give,) The eons streak into the endless nether,

(though the memory of a mother’s hand) where the touch of loving parents

is a balm to bruised shoulders

(As the earth swallows the fading day) While the torchlight flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, unbroken) I am a Man, unbowed

(As I square myself to face the rush) As I stand alone before the bridge

(I watch my foemen come) destiny reaches for me with eyes aglitter,

(A forest of spears, piercing the night,) and the silvery edge of its derision

stabs hungrily at my courage

(As the long dark reaches for me) While the twilight flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, reforged) I am a Man, renewed

(As I raise my shield to take their blows) As I stand alone before the bridge

(I name my foes clearly) I call unto the crowding host

(For I will not fall here, unremembered,) and taunt them with my father’s voice

because I will not cower

(As stars fill the sky) While the gleaming flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, released) I am a Man, released

(As I sweep my blade across their line) As I stand alone upon the bridge

(I think only of my duty,) and serve faithfully the beauty I’ve squandered,

(and nothing shall fail here but my fears) while my courage beats their breath away

because I am immortal

(As my light pulses toward midnight) Then the starlight flickers, and is gone