Banshee

Nerezza Selve

Down the stream, to the lake
Where the dragon lies in wait
Up the willow tree
Where the banshee sits 
Wide awake
You will see her dark eyes
Shining down through branches bare
The sun’s rays 
Never to touch her face.

Down the tree, up the stream,
Back home to me, my darling
In my home, by the hearth
Fire burns, like passion’s touch
And meat falls from the bone.

Down the stream, to the lake
Where the dragon lies in wait,
Where Banshee watches
With eyes ablaze.
Turn an ear, to you she sings
A tale to shred delicate hearts. 

Blind to the sunset, 
Deaf to song, 
A one eyed man is king among the blind
One who holds the torch in the dark, carries hope
Time grinds at old bones
While home selfishly holds onto youth.

South the armies march
Mocked in the eyes of the grieving.
One by one, they fall
And the banshee laughs
As a hearth is left untouched.