When dark that hides in deep cut crags

bends the heart as time just drags -

and reveals its pain in subtle ways

Through tones of sadness and shades of gray

and light of lights like a thousand suns

cannot touch it or bring its knots undone

Then wounded pride and festering fear

invade the center and to the depths draws near

Rise up within, and do not fall

This is the fight, this is the call

For balancing on the edge of a broken lie

is the last stronghold before the night

and only hope can hold back the sun's depart

which may usher in the return of the vampire heart

when the dead and undead arise and surmise

that life forsaken and taken by and by

has yet a foothold on a man not completely sold

who didn't totally release and die

Will darkness and shadow bear the claws

that once held its victim in its jaws

and turn the wheel back in time

and sting the soul into an unperceived crime?

Can man find respite? Can peace be gained?

Before the tempest of the damned and insane?

Or will the canker and the moth

corrupt the palace and paradise be lost?

Sword of light - double edged

that bleeds the wounds and saves the head

Cut the cord; that silver strand

Before malice takes hold with an unforgiving hand