3rd Annual Poetry Challenge, #19

Ahh, today, I have been given another challenge, from the same person as before. Yep, It seems no one else is being brave about challenging me...or nobody's reading. And since I KNOW some of you out there ARE reading, all I gotta say - and I apologize in advance for hurting your ears with this - "Wassup with dat shizizzle?" Ok, thsoe are words I don't think I should ever say again. So, in order to keep me from saying them again and hurting you in this fashion, send me stuff - ideas...whatever. It is, after all, a challenge.....

So the challenge I was given is another "react to this" challenge, with the added, "ok, so you can mirror some of my stuff well, but show me what you really think" element added in. To my friend I will say simply, "You asked for it."

This one was done significantly later than his high school years - he didn't say precisely when, nor did I ask. I'm guessing, from the tone, however, that it was after he fell in love with Medieval English Literature. Who knows? You decide. I do like certain elements of his poem - some nice allusions, illiterations, etc., and there are certain things I don't care for - but to like it or not I leave up to you. So here we go:

Even Fireflies Die

The Sun slowly slides into the west
Fires of heaven enrapture clay
Though brilliantly born, death is best
That glowing host, that enlightened day
Yet the mother reclaims her lost child
Like the Shepard and his flock of sheep
For she longs for him, fiery wild
Every way, he to live, she to sleep
Loath to let go, eager to take home
Another future is yet unmade
Blue of her water, blue of her dome
Though relieved today, is still afraid
At last the fading fiery mess
Descends below the still silent sea
And Night, the ever-jealous mistress
Stretches forth her hand to beckon me
As the lightning fades, and Night grows on
Crickets chirp, the air, despondency
Is the magic and the stillness gone
As twilight gives way in memory
To that still darkness whence life sprang from
As in the beginning, is now here
It is that evil which I fear’st come
For my soul, it whispers in my ear
Icy despair, entreating upon
The soft blackness of Night, washing o’er
My countenance and my courage gone
In the fields of life, She the sower
Of secrets, shoulder to those who moan
Upon the visit of her soft kiss
In Night, as in Light, my life I own
For as each day dawns, ‘tis Night I miss
Yet I fear her, long do I run, far
Away from her quiet, silky lips
Unlike day, I cannot seem to shun
The coldness of grave, from whence she ships
But even in the Night, there is hope
As I look up, gazing to the skies
It is impossible, yet I cope
For around me, I see Fireflies
They are the souls of my ancestors
Given wings to guide my lonely way
Hearing the songs of thy creators
Ringing in mine ears, what do they say
They say hark my son, know where you go
To the isles of the dead do you tread
Where those who have passed reap what they sow
Follow not Night – stay – eat of thy bread
For bread gives you life, life of the dawn
So stop in your tracks and go not forth
Follow not Night, no matter how drawn
Instead, follow our lights, which lead north
Toward Elysium, home of thy dreams
Magical land of forbidden lore
Where wishes become more than what seems
Possible, earthly pleasures, and more
For we are thy hope and salvation
They cry, as they lead mine eyes away
From that dark beauty, Night’s creation
But in blackness resides Death, I say
I do see the dark, dreaded reaper
Come to take me to a home I fear
Though my soul’s free, my body’s keeper
Lies beneath, coming nigh, coming here
The Fireflies sing, sing in mine ear
Of life and beauty, that I might touch
I stretch forth my hand, I wish it near
Yet as in my dreams, my dreams are such
As to enlighten and enliven
Thou salty imagination much
Beyond the vast, wrathful horizon
Of sweet dreams, that I longingly clutch
But to my Elysium, I go not
For though the Night draws in, still I see
My hopeless dream, it is but forgot
With my life now, in darkness, in me
As the glowing stars by clouds cover
And the dusty winds begin to fright
I live, by Fireflies, or other
Graces of her majesty, the Night
In the end she rules my life, does she
For though the power of birth is grand
Only in the Night, may I be free
So I gaze up, and stretch forth my hand
As Fireflies stop, land in my palm
Glowing so brightly, I cannot pray
I close my eyes, and utter a psalm
To my huntress Night, and av’tar, Day
I am unbound – from you – no – from me
I live for the Truth, who lives for I
So as I close my hand, I am free
For in Night, even Fireflies die.

and, for a non-mirrored response.....

The Importance of Fireflies

In the guise of Truth and Light,
I come, with torches burning bright,
to see the path, drive out the Night,
And set the fireflies to flight.

For I would have you blind by Day,
And sweep all Night's dreams away,
care only for the things I say,
forget the need of Dreaming's sway.

Free the mind, enslave the soul,
Just drink from Day's ample bowl,
No need of fireflies to make you whole,
When Knowledge is the Daylight's goal.

All things are plain under sunny sky,
Myst'ry gone little firefly,
To questioners all I can supply
the answer - to all but "why?".

Well, there we have it. Holy crap - I rhymed???? Yeah, yeah, it happens from time to time. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed today's offering!

Thanks for reading,
The Fat Kid