I know sometimes it’s so hard to hear me
Even though I speak so clearly
Just a simple story I want you to know
But you don’t listen just like before
And endless cycle we’re trapped in both
It’s like we forget what it’s all worth
Inspired to nothing
Drown in everything
Lost without you and dead without us
I need you to show it’s me that you trust
Not her
Not him
Me, only me
So forgive me for saying
And you know that I’m sorry
But I need you close
Please show me it’s me that you trust
The Maiden’s Prince
In a time quite a few hundred years past, lived a beautiful Maiden. The Maiden was known by all as the fairest woman of her kingdom, the next kingdom, and the next after that. She had the purest alabaster skin and the most radiant countenance ever seen. She had hair of the wind, eyes like the earth, and lips as a rose. Her voice was a constant song. Where she walked, light followed. Man after man, warrior after warrior, and poet after poet all attempted to win her affection, yet none succeeded. The Maiden remained alone. When she walked through the streets the Maiden would hid her face beneath a veil and her figure under a cloak, so none would pursue her.
In this time there were many wars fought between kingdoms. Wars fought for riches, wars fought for sovereignty, and wars fought for land. Men died in battle. Men fought and killed in the name of their king, in the name of duty, in the name of honor. From one of these lands, of one of these men, came the young Prince. The Prince fought many battles and conquered many lands. He led his men to victory time and again. When the Prince and his troops marched through the streets, all would make way for his parade of grandeur.
One certain morning, as the Prince and his convoy passed through a certain town he stumbled upon a rock and fell onto his knees. As he looked up the Prince saw five dainty fingers reached out to help him stand. The Prince forsook the hand as he stood but grasped it in his own once upright. He thanked the stranger for her kindness but fell silent trying to meet her eyes hidden behind a shroud. Revealing her identity the Maiden raised her hood and the Prince was dumbfounded. He searched his memory for any person, any object, any splendor of nature or masterpiece of art to compare her to. Never before had he seen such as she.
The Prince invited the Maiden with him. They walked together through the city and rode together through the country. They retired to a palace by the ocean. They dined under the moonlight and they ambled along the seashore. They talked of life and literature, of mystery and melody, of vitality and verve. The Maiden would sing to her Prince songs of affection and enchantment. They embraced on the balcony and kissed by the fire. And in their hearts, a blaze of adoration and infatuation kindled. As they laid together in the Prince’s bed, they would whisper to one another, “forever”.
For months the Maiden stayed with the Prince in his castle on the sea. But, one morning a herald of the King came to the Prince with a message. A war was brewing in the kingdom and the valiant Prince needed to lead his men to battle. When the Maiden heard of this beckon, she wept. She begged her love not to leave her, but the Prince could not desert his country. The Prince kissed his Maiden goodbye. As their lips slowly separated the Maiden softly declared into the Prince’s ear, her love for him.
The war waged many years. Every battle lost brought fear to the Maiden’s heart and every battle won brought hope of her beloved’s return. But every day without him grew longer, and every night away from him grew colder. Until once at the end of a lengthy day on a wintry night, a herald appeared. He told the Maiden of the Prince’s victories and triumphs and the Maiden’s heart was warmed, but her body became as a statue when the herald detailed the fate of her Prince.
The Prince had run a campaign across the land driving out the enemy. He had fought with glory and valor, with blade and sword. After one such victory the Prince and a small band of soldiers departed on a voyage across the sea, pursuing enemy spies. As the Prince and his company sailed through the night a deep fog descended around the ship. The captain demanded the sails be raised, but the Prince heard something. In the distance a voice was singing to him. The Prince marveled at the sound of the voice and in a matter of moments recognized the voice as that of his Maiden. The young Prince commanded the captain to sail the ship directly toward the song and as they drew near they saw. Upon a rock sat the Maiden in all her beauty. The Prince shouted for the captain to drive closer and to rescue the Maiden. But once the ship was a short distance from her, her image declined into that of a siren, and her beautiful song into a terrible shrill. As the ship attempted to evade the monster, a current seized the hull and drove them into the rocks.
The Prince emerged from the wreckage alone, his men dead and his hope of meeting again with his Maiden shattered. He was rescued by a fishing boat but was left on a nameless shore. He roamed the land where he was left but found no ally. And every night he would lie under his tent and dream of her voice, of the Maiden who loved him.
Wintry cliffs ‘gainst icy shores
Destitute and darkly scene
Sights of blazing frozen hearts
Shattered like those tales of lore
Twilight splendor dies unseen
Champagne dust as golden stars
Shines not here: ‘twill never more.
.. ..
Silence falling as I scream
Answerless you sigh dismay
Anxious calm without repose
Shrouds the dim and deep ravine
Plummeting towards death’s bouquet
Death’s cold bed a knot of rose
Peace at last is now serene
