The Twelve Steps

[Raiyuuni]

This little poem was a rather unorthodox creation for me, as I have never managed to assemble such a thing before, at least on English.

It makes part of a larger story that I have never, ever managed to write down, so complex it is.

Anyway... here it goes. Hope you enjoy it!

The Twelve Steps

I am not known for my poetry or power
as I am a mere man, Minister of the Tower.
A forgotten god, perhaps, with his days of glory
a fallen prince who yearns to complete his story.

Long have I watched all above and below:
creatures of all kinds, beings from every world.
Souls that whispered the sacred wisdom of words
and exchanged the silent treachery of swords.

I was too many things, and the greatest was a guide,
leading all who hesitate upon the tragedy of choice.
Every puzzled soul whose flame stood upon my side
had been granted light from the echoes of my voice.

Although, on my greatest days of might and force
this one lonely thing had driven me out of course.
This forgotten feeling sealed out of my mind
fallen memory that could leave my wisdom blind.

That night, a last quest for myself had I set
On my own, I left everything without a regret.
Deeply marked by the dark, rusted stain of greed
I tried to hunt whatever would make me complete.

I have roamed every land, met each of its men
but none of these puzzles ended had been.
My only question had lost its meaning, and then
I finally perished beneath the midnight green.

Slowly I was consumed by glistening tears
My soul sank in a sea of drifting sand.
No answer had I found for myself in years!
What was this feeling I could not understand?

When all hope was lost, a shadow on me was cast
It was a woman's figure, hidden by the shade
whose words gave light to my entire life and past
when I could only gaze upon depression and grey.

I glanced again, and the angel's image was gone
breaking the spell that erased everything around.
Nothing else do I remember, not even a sound
from the night I realized that I was not alone.

Long later I returned with a heart full of repent,
to the very place I have never left on this earth.
I finally understood the flame that met rebirth
what was the demon by which it was sent.

Not a single man can be said to have grown
until his soul has met who makes him complete.
The only way a spirit's life can remain, indeed
as nothing can be achieved by one on his own.

And as all odds scattered in the universe
bend towards the mighty will of even,
only the ones who bear the flame of duality
have the strength to reach the Realm of Eden.