Dear Old Soul

Dear Old Soul

who was just growing into their youth

Forgive me, forgive us

As you face a war not your own

There are no rules, though many laws,

No glory, no honor,

just dashed promises of tomorrows

And loud shadowy exits

I would have painted you a home

Warm and cheery like Christmas

With summer fun and autumn feasts

And all the hopes of spring

But there is ice only ice creeping in

And angry storm fronts

The heat burns

And hope has shriveled to a shadow

You face this, as young and old

With bold strength

Quietly seething for justice

Of a youth and a future dashed

All those things I tried to keep

To hold so close they wouldn’t touch you

That I hid behind closed doors

That were too loud not to hear

All those things you face and more

In living memory and fading dreams

My Old Soul, my Guardian King,

My brave, leading  dawn

It reads my heart to see you rise

On a field of bloodied hearts

Of yours and mine, and his and theirs

No one is left untouched

I bear the blame for holding it all

For you and him and all our scars

I tried to be better, to never give up

But I trapped us all when I should have fled

Now here we are, us all and you,

My wise old warrior of infinity blessed

There are universes in your eyes

And red threads within your chest

Face judgment with innocence

Show guilt’s dark disgrace

Speak truth and life and memory

To free you from this past