Dawn caught me in a shimmering silver haze
The early sun caressed me and drove away the morning chill
Dispelling the clinging damp mist
And revealing the canonised valley

I felt its timelessness and was immersed in awe
Through an arch of leaves I gaped
Afraid to take the step which would blemish
That silent, perfect beauty

A tinge of ominous red across the darkening heaven
A jackdaw perched on the gallows
Three pensive men of faith
Two hundred credulous fools

With impunity I've slain
Heedlessly marched into battles of others
Impervious to the most mordant of jeers
I transcended mere mortality
But in one transitory moment of hatred
Work of eons was swept away

The small boys have come see me hang

The creaky sound of rope against firm wood
The only mournful accompaniment
Of my patronizing decease
Two muffled caws, one final twitch
And the callous hands cut me down

I sleep through the night and wake up anew
As dawn catches me in a shimmering silver haze
I pass underneath the leafy arch and hear myself scream
The piercing newborn's cry