The Game

SUGGESTION: LISTEN TO THE SONG ABOVE WHILE READING

Lying in a cradle face up
as my young eyes were opening to the world

I was awaken by a cold drop
from a puddle being stamped on by a horde

My legs felt mighty strong so I stood up
as the morning sun's flares were probing me

With few clumsy steps, looking like a flop
I approached the window right next to me

As I put my foot on the chair in front of it
and lifted my head, I was bathed in the sun
that shined with stunning purity, but underneath
the servant of beauty I saw a horrifying run

My eyes were flickering, going left to right
capturing this moment, as in front of them were portraits
of them ancient heroes, warriors of might
pillaging with demeanor, conquering every fortress

First I chuckled in flattering amazement
then my hands began to clap on their own
glorifying the play on the hot pavement
but my glee was brief as I heard a moan

As my point of view shifted away from the great warriors
voices of the meek were growing stronger

Their pain whispered the truth: this is not a play, these are horrors
I couldn't observe it any longer

Suddenly, as my first tear dropped on the ground
its texture changed, became stiffer and rugged

I looked around - walls were nowhere to be found
I entered the street eager and cold-blooded

Following the vigorous I started to ravage
as I fought my way to the foreshadowed downtown

a drop in a river of thousands, a mere savage
on a holy quest for a scepter and a crown

This vantage site that the prophets depicted seemed untrue
 It was something that no one saw
and when I lost my vigor others lifted my spirit
and once again I was in awe

My doubts returned - I heard them crying shouts again
yet the horde's roar was uplifting and strong

I could still hear their bitter pleading loud and plain
but the luring roar made me play along

Flying over a lump I lost my medallion
I looked down and noticed my chariot of glister
being pulled by a couple of pacy stallions
heard my name along the way through cheers by a muster

They were thousands of thousands exulting from corners of the historic arena

With flavor of divine on my lips I felt a kiss of the very goddess Athena

In this epic battle of legends the ecstatic crowd sang the chorus of my song

I looked back at my horses, but to my horror they appeared to be that sorrowful throng

Their voices ripped my ears, I came to know that all my maneuvers were left-sided

There was no destination, just a circle of glory and craft for the blinded

I saw slaves that day, too many of them, pulling the game

They were poor men, women and children, ill-stricken and lame

There were more of them than us, a mass greater than that cheering crowd

I looked down at their lips and heard that sound again, so sharp and loud

Their eyes were sparkles as if they never gazed or even hoped

They ran for days and nights, limping and hoppling, restless, roped

I lost my vigor, I lost my strength, I lost my awe
Suddenly, I found myself being struck by a sword

Chorus began to fade away, hence the final chord. I tasted soil.
Above me was a horseman, a lord

I moved my head up, sensing death's approaching seal
while he shouted: "If you desire mercy, kneel!" 

I looked at him - his eyes became a glory's fill.

The crowd exploded in an outcry: "Kill, kill, kill!"

In an essay to move, I felt there's no strength in me

I ought to lift myself, I ought to rest on my knees

My spirit was alive from fear but my body was broken

I saw the shadow of the horseman move. It was a token

I was struck by the blade
and my scabbard was empty

And suddenly, there was no more raid
no difference between the weak and the crafty

There was a sudden flash; I slowly opened my eyes

My surrounding was all blurry and vague, and I was crouched

Only a whit of light, as the warm sun was about to rise

I entertained a feeling that I was about to be touched

Surprisingly, I wasn't alone anymore
I was brimming with an urge to flutter and roll

My hands were trembling; I entered the spirit of utmost happiness

Beside me laid a pair of eyes of profound beauty and tenderness

I was bathed in light much more glorious then sun's

It was fading away - again, I noticed the runs
the window, the street and the pavement's play

Again, they were served to me on a tray

As ground began to rasp my skin
I heard the rumble, saw the scene
Again, I felt that luring trill, but those eyes... those eyes...

I stand in awe treasuring their beauty, and savoring my fill

(the start of 2013)