The Shield
By Kevin Robey
February 24, 2013
This was my shield, now covered in rust
Laying in this dying field, collecting dust
Once it shined, and guarded my soul
Repelled the evil, from demons and trolls
I put down my shield for you it’s true
I freed my hands, so I could catch you
With open palms and steady arms
I fought to protect you from any harm
But it never happened, you never fell
I was not to save you, from your hell
I thought the demons, with grips too tight
That kept you from me, try as you might
Sadly I realized, this wasn’t true
You weren’t captive, the demon was you
I grabbed your hand, my skin burned black
Scarred head to toe, my soul taken back
Hollow and numb, I felt nothing from then on
I was too broken to even sing a sad song
I hurt myself to help cushion the fall
Just to feel something, anything at all
To my dismay, numbness ensued
I couldn’t stop thinking of you
So the war waged on, in my heart and soul
I fear my heart will never again be whole
There may not be hope, for someone like me
For whom death is the one way to be free
But I soldier on looking for that perfect song
To express what I’ve been feeling all along
Songs are brave things, courageous to embark
On bleak roads with no silver lining, no end to the dark
Stories demand endings, often happy ones
I’ll never have a story, when all’s said and done
I look to my shield, recall the warrior I used to be
But you took my fight, left my bones soft and weary
It’s all the same, for the battle has left this field
A place where long ago, I put down my shield
I turn away, and leave this hollow city of bones
With no weapons or shield, into endless unknowns
Down war torn roads from post-apocalyptic dreams
The skies forever grey, these are my new realities
This was my shield, now covered in rust
Lays next to my heart, now collecting dust
I’ll cover these tattoos and gaping wounds
Hoping to stave off my awaiting tomb
I venture into the abyss, never to be seen again…
[originally started writing this in a hotel in Alabama in 2012]
|