Fate

Fate

In swamp and forest where demons dwell

Among trees and rushes where the spirits fly

Where nymphs beneath dark waters freely swim

A land where villagers believe even the air is cursed

In such a far-off land there is a tale to tell

Cold enough to freeze a tear in the watering eye

Upon the blackness of the earth was the legend made

Amongst the very trees along the path I now traverse

Ghosts called out to me as they floated on a breeze

Enticement along the path I wished to tread

Witches peered out from behind standing stones

The sorcerer at work sent lightning to the sky

I heard the whispers of a wizard among the trees

Past the ancient murder-stone where sacrifice was bled

Past the great cairn that held the maiden’s bones

On the road to a palace where the undead lie

Trapped between two worlds I seek release

Beyond the dragon’s breath I pass the moated gate

Where the bloodied axe awaits those condemned to hell

To the seat of the sorceress who cast the spell of doom

A pond of giant lilies was home to the sabred geese

Whose beaks like blades sent the undead to a fate

Who would dare to join me on this path

In seeking for desires beyond the great unknown

Copyright: David Hopcroft January 2025