As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War

8- ❂❂❂ -VIII

In time since his arrival back in town

our Preacher's taken up his place upon

the dais in his father's stead in church,

delivering unto the village words

his father taught to him, and he his ere

for generations gone before the sand

had even come to blanket all the land

just north of here and also here somewhat,

which only prov'd their words were accurate

because it show'd how Earth is deathly ill.                10

Within his chapel now before a crowd

our Preacher ends his sermon for this day,

accepting praise deliver'd unto him

by those attending. As they stand to leave,

in fact, the Elder comes to him and says:

"Your speech was wonderful. I do believe

that even it surpasses what your pa—

may soul of his see rest within the Sky

by silver moon and blazing golden sun—"

"By silver moon and blazing golden sun."                20

"—and even his before him could relay."

The Elder shakes his staff, continuing:

"You have a gift, my boy—or rather man—

and I should hope you share it all your life."

The Maiden now approaches from behind

and Elder, noticing, doth say as well:

"Regardless whether you should stay with us

or go to spread your word across the land."

She smiles at th'acceptance that he gives

and kisses Elder on the cheek before                30

he nods his head to both and takes his leave.

Our Preacher steps upon the lower floor

and takes his Maiden in his wrapping arms.

In but a month our Preacher will be wed

toward his dearest Maiden finally,

and after that their fate they'll need decide

as one, but this will take some argument,

for still the silly woman wants to roam

across the countryside with vaguest clue

about what sort of goal she hopes t'achieve                40

besides discovery of "paradise,"

which still our Preacher scoffs at notions of,

for what could better be than staying here

to raise a fam'ly round their village home?

"Thou'rt not at work, I see," our Preacher says