POEM: 'Fallen Into Grace'

[Alan Rogers <masterofwords@xxxxxxxxxx>]

The following poem is proof that I should never watch 'The Gift' late at
night...

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Tear-tainted blood
Streaming down skin
Eyes wide staring
At darkness falling
As death descending

Freely given forgiveness
Laid on duty-heavy hearts
Grief-stricken acceptance
Of a gift that comes only once;
Bloodless and smiling,

She fell

A life for a life;
Hammurabi's Code
Re-written in a metaphor
Of history's repeating story
Re-telling tales again and again

Softly whispered words
Promising the world
If only for a moment
-- joyful sacrifice
is destiny's price

She fell

Screams of the living
Laughter of the dead
Mocking; taunting
Those left behind
With only memories

Of their hero;
Inspired by the father
She should have had
Her journey ending as it began;
Called to Arms

She fell

Honor and glory have no meaning
When gods walk among us;
Staring Fate in the face
Triumph and victory
Taste too bitter to want

She fell
Slayer and woman
Sister and daughter
Lover and friend
A warrior;

Fallen into grace