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 steps traversed past domains beastly and human,
The air whispered to their rhythm a song of queer allure,
Beckoning into the dark void's proffer of free haven,
In depths where one may only 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 musn't you still stand true?
A night of respite is due as your stride continues to slow,
In my enriching embrace you shall grasp your venture's worth,
Step into the chasm and receive what I shall 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,
I apprise you unseen friend, I have promises to keep,
With conscience clear enough to bear the onus within,
Through tempt and trial over miles to go before I sleep.



A deathly silence followed under sky of starless omen,
As if the welcome would plunge into venom any moment,
When 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 thoughtful proposal for free.

But as acknowledgement, here l earnestly reveal,
If the wicked managed to shatter my finite shield,
I'd rather let my senses drift 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.