Here I sit, alone once more.
my staff is splintered, as said the lore.
I’ve come to find, here at the end,
my golden thread shall not extend.
I know no elixir, nor spell, nor crimson stone,
to keep me from passing into the veil alone.
Enemies I’ve vanquished, my rivals have died.
To toads, stones, and vapors—I’ve transmogrified.
What’s left to weep over? What more could I ask?
No more striving and sorrow, once I drink from this flask.
With goblins and monsters, I’ve successfully striven,
they’ve tasted the blade, of this waning magician.
Dark wizards were routed, no sorcerers lasted,
when we came into conflict and our magics contrasted.
Yet for what has it all been? Will the grand purpose stand?
Was it worth letting go of my dear Shasta’s hand?
The Autarch’s seed was delivered, back to the empire, his home,
but no second thought to it costing my most loyal gnome.
The portals I’ve closed, to the realm of the Beyonder,
now may I find peace, on the celestial plane let me wander.
For an age they’ll remember, my legacy’s set.
But as all flesh is prone, they’ll surely forget.
No heir of my own, as the order made certain,
no child to mourn as I pass through that curtain.
I gave it all up, for my people and land,
yet to do it all over, I’d wish a life simple and bland.
With Shasta held close and a son on my lap,
I’d turn my back on this burden for which my strength has been sapped.
Though I’ve won many battles, the greatest I’ve lost.
In discharging my duty, my family it cost.
It’s no use now, adding tears to my potion,
I’ll swill it all down and pass with no notion.
Goodbye to my realm, I leave you better than I found.
Goodbye to my friends who are now in the ground.
I perform my last duty, my final obligation,
But will I join with my order or face annihilation?
In the Gemstone of Solace, they say our essences survive,
To the transcendentals we're united, and our ipseities thrive.
I don’t know if that’s true, and I’m not sure I care,
but I’ve languished enough, no more days can I bare.
So with a sip I’ll be off, to the gemstone or not,
but whatever the case, this will be my last thought:
The last thing in my mind, my last cogitation,
if you asked me again, I’d choose love over nation.
How long have you waited to end a rhyme with "transmogrified"?? Haha. I particularly loved the line, "no child to mourn as I pass through that curtain." So grieved and yet, the curtain used as the image of death also makes me think of peek-a-boo games with a baby. Duality is at play there.
If you believe that wizards are, in a sense, quite real, it adds a new layer of meaning