wayfarers_lodge ([personal profile] wayfarers_lodge) wrote2013-07-11 01:52 pm

{Tilda} Only one

OOC: I wrote this not long after Noctis '11, and then forgot about it for some reason. I recall being super discontent about it for some reason at the time, but I can't remember what it was, so here's the poem

IC
The field of war fell silent, our battle had been won,
and thus we bring about the new world, like the rising of the sun,
Then I turned to gaze upon you. You said you wouldn't leave
but I cannot staunch the bleeding and I cannot make you breathe.

We fought for liberation from the captors of our past
And now he lies in pieces, and the battle's done at last
But the fight was all that moved you, and you gave all you could give
so now you've got out easy, and don't have to learn to live.

My limbs are tired and heavy, but not as heavy as my heart.
We fought so long together, and now we're torn apart.
My scars all ache upon me and I feel all of my years,
I cannot speak for silence, and I cannot weep for tears.

The ladies cluster round me and I don't know what to do,
They see I've lost something important, but they cannot know it's you.
I cannot give them answers, my silence marks my shame,
for although they'd sing your praises, they cannot know your name.

My body lies here broken, like a toy upon the floor
and I long to join you resting so it won't hurt any more,
but I need to keep our promise, so I know I have to stay,
cos I cannot leave those lads behind- I cannot turn away.

And I wish that I could hate you for leaving us alone
But you've earned this bit of freedom for all the pain you've known
So I'll remember you with gladness, and sing your tale with pride
I cannot hate you, sister, even though you've left my side.

Now, as we walk towards the dawning of the bright and burning sun,
there should be two shadows on the ground, but now there's only one.

[identity profile] astraimperator.livejournal.com 2013-07-11 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
God, this evokes a lot of feelings. The last paragraph is a particularly powerful coda.

Also, I don't know if it was intended, but I like the... I don't know, the framing? The first and last paragraphs are on a similar theme to each other (with similar motifs), as are the second and second-to-last, and the third and third-to-last. I can't remember what the term is for that, but it's a very pretty contrast to the tragedy of it all.

[identity profile] merinnan.livejournal.com 2013-07-11 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Love it. Brings back so many memories, and evokes all the feels of Ali's swansong all over again.