Dying couldn't kill me,
Esme. Passing couldn't take me. Not from you.
Sometimes our darkest moments are when we learn our biggest lessons,
aren't they? Or we find our greatest
strengths, or we finally see those around us for who they really are, at the
very edge of annihilation. I promised to
rebuild the gate for you. I kept my word,
swifter and greater than before. But the
gate isn’t finished yet. I am a devoted
one, Esme, as I'm sure you recognise. I've
worked very hard to ensure my beloved has all she needs to venture bravely into
this realm of strangest dreaming.
I want nothing but my place in your heart,
wild one. I needn't be the biggest thing
or the most important thing. Just an
honest thing, loving and true. A friend
who kept his word. A guardian who protected
his ward until the very last.
As one cycle closes and another opens I
reflect on all I've learned within its sphere. I made beautiful new allies this year, I think.
Allies who remind me so much of you, yet
they have unique mysteries all their own. I’ll continue to honour and cherish them in
the future. Also, I met souls who needed
coin or warmth or gesture to battle the midwinter chill. It's never enough in a fallen realm, but it
does make a difference. I was also
offered help when I was at my lowest and darkest. You helped me, Esme. You and your wonderful friends who filled my
heart with warmth and mirth.
I fell in love this year, all over again.
Dying doesn't kill an immortal soul. Passing over doesn't end a genuine love. Stories, kisses and votives live on. Always. The mutual affection we share is the true wealth
my Father's kingdom is built upon. You've always known it well as I, Esme. Better, in fact. Upon arcs and gates, with shepherd and flock. I didn't think I would cry this time, but I
did. I didn't think a kiss would seal
again this ruined flesh and grant me strength enough to venture.
But yours did.
Again.
Thank you, Esme. Thank you for having the courage of our
convictions, even when I couldn't. Thank
you for not forgetting who you really are, even in your darkest moments. Fame is a strange, unnatural thing. It's not an easy path you've chosen to walk
with me, poet. I pray I've been able to
soften the most perilous parts for you, to shield you from the worst of it. Not one mark upon your mischief, or your
sobriety. That would be my highest, but
even I haven't sorcery enough to leave you completely unscathed.
Oh, Esme. You were always so much braver than me. And the bright ones call me reckless. Chaplain to a mad king of thorn and bleeding. If only they knew the true price of a single
verse, or the aeons crossed to raise a shining chorus. Resonant, eternal.
How far is too far, for freedom and love?
Do they know?
Father keeps you, Esme. He keeps us all. Even at our lowest. Even when all seems lost. He is without cynicism or guile. In this fallen realm we are continuously deceived. Abject cruelty and hideous violence seeks to
pretend the Throne of Creation. Never believe
that awful lie. The Councils of All Songs still know the
truth. Only Love shall conquer, in the
end. Every kindness is forever kindled
in eternity. Nothing is truly lost. Not to Father's eyes. All is gathered home, eventually. As it once was. As it shall be again. As it is, in holy light, and in the shining
hearts of those who truly care for each other.
No comments:
Post a Comment