The Sustained Stride

Heather shining on the moorland with a radiant sky,
Left behind in the quest of buried bonds and abrupt goodbyes,
As the errant in armour dealt with testing twists and turns,
The darkening path presented diminishing returns.

Solemn strides made beyond domains beastly and human,
To whose rhythm the air whistled a queer song of allure,
Beckoning into the dark void's proffer of free haven,
In depths wherein one may but hearken deeper to ensure.



"As your bones rattle amidst eldritch headwind,
In this virtuous endeavour you seek to pull through,
On godless roads where even saints would have sinned,
To your hallowed code of honour must you not still stand true?
A night of respite is due as your stride continues to slow,
In my enriching embrace you will know your venture's worth,
Come into the chasm and receive what I will bestow."


Weary in body and mind indeed,
To spirit the advancer held on,
And wielding the sworn edge that sundered rue,
Mustered a response endued by virtue,


"Whilst I am no saint with sentience impervious to sin,
To apprise you unseen friend, I have promises to keep,
With conscience clear enough to bear the onus within,
Past tempt and trial over miles to go before I sleep."



A deathly silence followed under starless omen,
As if the welcome would sink into venom right then,
Sober assurance of steel remained,
As the progressor further proclaimed,

"I'd rather smile in pain,
than smirk in conscious treachery,
Just as I'd laugh in vain,
than bask in unearned victory,
With a gallant tale I'd rather stop by again,
Than accept your gracious offer in vile glee.
But in kind acknowledgement l faithfully reveal,
If the wicked managed to touch past my finite shield,
I'd rather let my senses fly in search of relief,
Till they transcended the clouds atop which shines my belief."

Reviews

[Neville]

I am glad I found my way here today .. had I not been so very busy, I feel sure that I would have visited before now .. I do also hope that others will now feel able to visit in the wake I have intentionally left for them to follow .. All Good Things, Neville

[Archishman Rick]

That is wonderful sir, how very kind and thoughtful of you. I understand that we have busy lives with commitments, and certainly I believe that I am no exception. Please accept my sincere thanks and best wishes, Neville. :) I hope whatever follows is for the best.