The Dawn of Dusk's Goodbye
The Dawn of Dusk’s Goodbye (Poem)
She picks it up with heavy heart
And then it starts to glide
Through rivers red; she falls apart -
The Dawn of Dusk's goodbye.
"What is this place?" she asks the man
Who watches her awake,
Standing there with scythe in hand
Waiting for soul to take.
Without a word, he joins her side.
He keeps his head hung low.
Then takes her hand to be her guide
Toward the distant glow.
Her hand in his, she feels at peace,
But doesn't quite know why
As if his touch makes all pain cease,
Set free, like crow to sky.
On they walk from place to place,
Through memories and lands
Where darkness falls on every face
Like Time's forgotten sands.
A teardrop tumbles off his chin.
She asks him why he's there,
Wand'ring lands of others' sin
Alone, without a prayer.
"I've wandered here for many years
To meet a certain need.
Escorting souls and calming fears
Are portions of my creed.
All souls pass on through this space
Before they pay life's cost.
...It breaks my heart to see a face
As young as yours here, lost..."
"With due respect, you don't know me
And all that I've been through.
My life - to you - seems short, but see,
was longer than you knew!"
Touching her face, he says "I know...
I felt your every tear;
I saw your birth and watched you grow,
and all that led you here.
Soon you'll see, my dearest girl,
Just what a death implies;
For past those Gates of Gold and Pearl
You won't believe your eyes."
She stopped the man, "Before you go-"
His cloak blew in the wind.
"Anything that I should know?
You know... because I've sinned...?"
"You need not worry, my dear girl,
I know you are afraid.
The toll ahead that you would owe,
You need not fear - it's paid."
"What did he mean?" she asked the Saint
When she got to the gate.
"My child, you've only just begun
To realize your fate:
The hooded man who walks away,
He gave his life and bought
What none could pay one fateful day -
He died so you might not."
- A. J. Darkholme (March 2016)
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The Dawn of Dusk’s Goodbye (Lyrics)
[Verse 1]
She holds it tight, it starts to glide
Through rivers red, no more to hide
And though she tried
The pain inside
Snuffs out the light that was her guide
With nothing left, she comes undone
She feels there's nowhere left to run
She fades to black
Leaning back
And feels the midnight sun…
[Verse 2]
When she wakes
A breath she takes
But finds she needs no air
Then from the darkness, steps a man
From where? She's not aware
He holds his scythe, but shows no threat
To claim her soul's eternal debt
“What is this place?” she whispers low
As eerie winds, breathed softly, blow
[Bridge]
Silent, calm, he takes her hand
A guide to far-off shadowed lands
She's not sure why she feels at peace
But in his hand, she feels release
[Chorus]
On they walk through endless night
Memories fade in dying light
A heart returned to Time’s dark sands
That never felt the unseen hands
That hold our own through all grey skies
To keep us from the dawn of dusk’s goodbye
[Verse 3]
“Why do you roam this empty place
Alone, without another face?”
“I serve to calm the restless fears
And guide the souls through countless years
All souls must cross this shadowed space
Before they face life’s final grace
It breaks my heart to see the young
Lost here before their song is sung.”
[Chorus]
On they walk through endless night
Memories fade in dying light
A heart returned to Time’s dark sands
That never felt the unseen hands
That hold our own through all grey skies
To keep us from the dawn...
[Verse 4]
“You don’t know me,” she said with pain
“My life was long, though not in vain...”
“I saw your birth, your every tear
And all the pains that brought you here
I felt your heart, I felt it deep
That's why I'm here; that's why I reap
Beyond those gates of pearl and gold
You’ll find what no one’s ever told
Your toll is paid, the cost is gone,
Fear not the dusk; embrace the dawn.”
[Breakdown]
He backs away into the dark
His cloak a breeze, a fading spark
"I gave my life so you can see
Your heart made light, your soul set free."
[Final Chorus]
On they walk then find the light
No more mem'ries plagued by night
A soul embraced by peaceful hands
Who never lived her life's great plans
Who stopped before the bluest skies
Could fill her heart... to feel alive
[Outro]
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