A Year of Stories (Collection Two)

Tread Lightly As You Enter

(This was written in April as a part of National Poetry Writing Month)

Tread lightly as you enter

And remember, the toll is due.

Remember your whole is due.

Remember, extol virtue.

Thread lightly as you enter,

Meet the woman at the gate,

Her hair black, her back straight

Hope to gods you're not too late,

Know that hope is second rate.

So,

Tread lightly as you enter,

You will find the world beneath,

A world so dark and deep,

Shadows crawl and creatures creep

Still, you must meet who you must meet.

So,

Tread lightly as you as you enter

Take the first fork on your left.

Make the sign across your chest.

Wrest the fire from its rest,

There...the creature and it's nest.

Tread lightly as you enter

See its maw its teeth its tongue.

Ring the bell that must be wrung

Let the battle cry be sung.

Know this battle must be won.

Tread lightly a little longer

Watch its eyes, its wings it's hands...

Make your plea, make your demands

Silence, seconds tick like sands.

Is this their plan?

Is this your plan?

Tread lightly a little longer

Ignore its lies,

Ignore its greed,

Speak only of methods and of means

As it piles your screams on top of screams.

Tread lightly a little longer

Offer it blood, offer it soul

Know that a toll must be a toll,

That you would never leave here whole.

Tread lightly a little longer,

Sign your name in blood and sweat

So that he will know that you have met,

So that he will not forget,

That he owes you all a debt.

Tread lightly as you exit

Think of everything you gave

Think of all the souls you've saved.

No, that you save, and save and save!

Know that,

"A hero born a knave."

Will be written on your grave.