Ascent

Ascent

The view changed often

as I made my way

from the base of the castle to the top;

the sun beat down on me with ancient fire

and my knees nearly forced me to stop

but each step took me higher than mountains,

and birds

flew beneath me as I crossed a bridge

that led to the door of the highest tower

and the darkness and mysteries within

engraved on its stone walls, a story was told

of a life that knew losses and pain;

it might have been your story; it might have been mine,

for it seemed to reveal everyone's name

the pale orange of sunset glowed through the window

giving eerie life to the stone;

enshrouded by darkness both threatening and comforting

I'd never been so alone

I stepped out onto the perch just as a banshee's wail

sent a chill running through my whole being;

it pierced the air from a far off place,

and I gazed out with awe at the scene:

There was fire in the hills as a crimson moon rose

and a dragon flew across the sky;

it was moving slow, as if it wanted me to know

that I could ride on its back if I tried

I might have died that day, or perhaps it was death that died;

releasing its hold on me

and in one perfect instant, I heard a song

and I'm still haunted by its melody