To Teach And Tell

soaking up words from a sea of thoughts
but i've too little ink to make the notes.
pen as a tool, mind as my guide,
teach me how to clear the tide.

constellations mar the night sky
but lovingly, i reach out and sigh.
a human like me can only dream so much;
teach me so the stars i may touch.

when a thief comes to steal in the night,
these words can show him the light.
but i'm a fool who only knows the way --
teach me also how not to stray away.

when the days end and angels descend,
i'll look for a teacher and not for a friend.
as fury above and below unfurled,
teach me how to make a whole new world.

skies can fall and empires can crumble
and these walls i hold begin to tumble,
but i only have a glass heart and envy for sin;
teach me how to grow new thick skin.

carved words, unblinking angels and saints,
cold dark earth that a buried body taints.
this where i come to mourn at dawn;
teach me to grieve, learn to move on.

fears that haunt and monsters of greed --
oh, but they taught me how not to bleed.
but this downfall, it can consume me;
teach me to let go, learn to be free.

they told you not to fall in love --
even they know better, the gods above.
but what to do, what's done is done;
teach yourself to know when to run.

when i became this world's wanderer,
my hands wrote a hymn for a conqueror.
but power is useless in a land of rust;
teach him that he too will turn to dust.

alas, legends grow old; this story's gone cold.
but papers scarred with words are gold --
this tale will leave a bruise on the gods' game;
teach them not to forget my name.