The Throne of Ash and Bone

Today, they say, is the day

when our King receives his crown.

Churchyard bells and criers' yells

are heard throughout the town.

"Come," they say, "get out of bed,

and make yourself some speed!

Forget your bread and come instead

To hear what he's decreed!"

With eager feet I hear them leap

To gather in the square

To laugh and cheer and gather near

And learn his wisdom fair.

"Countrymen," says he, "Nay, brothers,

I offer you the truth!

The hate I bear I now will share

To give sufficient proof!

Fear the masked outsider!

Fear the poet and the queer!

As long as you're 'neath my shadow,

No disaster will draw near!

Our wives have left their kitchens,

Our churches lie in dust

And against our gold ambitions

Our guns begin to rust.

Your rage I turn to spirit

Your hate I turn to pride.

Your doubts now you must sever

to join my rising tide!

So come my many ardent men,

You holy patriots all,

Let my banners fly aloft,

Come heed my golden call!"

So his oaths fell from his lips

Like grains of golden sand.

His merry throng, their voices strong,

Obeyed ev'ry command.

Those who would not follow

Nor believed the words he dealt

Found themselves in fetters

Or hid 'mong those who knelt.

Then one day, or so they say,

The divide cracked and grew.

The castles burned and the people turned

On everyone they knew.

Hatred fueled the fire

And idols struck the blaze.

Flesh did crack and sizzle.

The towers all were razed.

None were caught left standing

Except one lonely solemn stone

It was the one he carved himself

His throne of ash and bone.

Today, they say, is the day

Our king receives his crown

But this morbid fate we can abate

Only if we don't back down.