The Valley Of Echoes

IV and V

IV To Pass the Guards – the Shamans

Do unto others

Sharp Eyes rule justice as charged

Except one’s own sin.

_____________*____________

Yes see, Nature itself rebels, rising up, angry in spite

For foul deeds to Earth Life, in plenty ill done

Holding firm all here, granting no Spirit release

Until fair karmic balance has equally won.

Rightful penance for what is done, that is the call

Forgiveness not given, on this you all must dine

Removing all peace hopes, generation’s deep

As Cause-effects repeat, rippling through Time.

All from and through past ancestry’s doors

So marched these all, fathers, uncles, and sons

With you always there to let them in chained

Never forgiving them, for what they’ve done.

How can this be, though centuries pass

As you woke and wake to walk past setting Suns

Shambling you by preaching past my door

Forever and a day, leaving right so undone.

You know my name as I well know yours

We both had debts to pay as men

But I forgave my Self a long time ago

And will never fight, your wars again.

Still your blood marches off at your own bugle’s call

Children raised to fill your greedy needs for fame

And sweeping guilt's here, when game has played

Leaving these Echoes imprisoned, to take the blame.

So here bring those judged, beating drums slowly

Moaning such sad songs so lowly

The walking dead marching lonely

Until all blood trails be gone.

No light comes to this dark wronged Valley

Of sown and reaped Echoes never-ending

With the release those wishes sending for

Bringing final ending, peaceful resting for their souls.

And until all feel, seeing the true price is paid

Emotions matching true see-sense here

And cease their love of War for your selfish sakes

Karma demands right recompense, fair brought to bear.

Yet, how can that end when your monied power directs

Those marching here through false glory’s door

A Hell to here from what thought there

Everlasting glory visions, instead shames forevermore.

I see no Shine is seen, when moving through nights

Hiding well from the light of better days

Even this Valley Door is lit with Wilder Fire

To hold marching brave Souls inside, at bay.

And few there are that can erase the stain

Of the grief Soul Loss echoing does conspire

With no forgiveness here to give release

Rather Blaming Echoes are stern gates inspired.

Therefore, no more I say, I will pass, now do stand aside

Or joining them, you will quickly see

For I am come to add my Song of Freedom

Giving rest where it might be.

No more beating dark drums lowly

Finished are the moaning sad songs slowly

Free will I, these walking dead marching

All dried blood trails, Now, be gone.

Bring I light to this dark, wronged Valley

Of sown and reaped Echoes never-ending

Releasing those who’s wishes sending

Bringing final ending, peaceful resting for their souls.’

V: Before Comes the Saving Song

Sing the old same songs

Dilly, dally, dimwits all

Less mirrors show true.

__________*___________

The old woman appeared then at the edge of night

Oh, but did the Shamans quickly slink away

For they knew Hecate well from elder times

Unless heart pure, just stay the hell away.

Back then haughty they all thought they knew

Which god was right, to lead Dark’s way

Against banners proud and warriors strong

With volcano’s fire hot, thousands did She slay.

And those it was that walking dead, wandered here first

Setting earth to tremble where they sang

All crying in woe at the fate they met

Her payback so insane.

And Time, it passed, without reprieve

The place soon home to spirit rats

As carrion eaters they knew their kin

And munched on Dead’s bones, just getting fat.

Leaving energies better left quiet, silenced, alone

Need never wake for just to see, and be

For when Dark and Light get into fights

Fabrics can rip, springing Chaos free.

So in this Valley of Echoes, Dark’s dead now come

Chained to their dark magic’s faults you see

Where they live in death, having succumbed

To penance demanded, for their deeds.

And over time their numbers swelled

And cavern’s split the grounds

Beginning Echo’s sounds, bouncing around

Searching solace, peaceful rest, never found.

Yes, they all beat their dark drums slowly

Up even to today, moan their songs so lowly

Through dead, moonless nights marching

Created dried blood trails, leading more on.

Coming down to this misted Valley

Of Echoes never-ending

For combining their singing, wishes sending

Pray for peaceful ending, rest

For their black and lonely souls.

And new Shamans then returned to fold

Where else to call their home?

And learned to feed their ghostly hordes

With new innocents, tied to lofty goals.

So now the Echoes sing darker songs

Covering moans… ‘Why are we here?

We did not know Evil’s true intent

And saving Grace will not come near.

Caught by this darkness, unable chains to rent

Neither family, love, the Earth, or home reprieve

And so our songs cry echoing, forever sent

Until Light’s forgiveness dampens, and sets us free.

We know not the words, our memories blank

War does that service unto men

Trapped here forever under Shaman’s spells

Our dirge echoes long out, Salvation, pray send.

Yes, we beat our dark drums slowly

And moan our songs so lowly

Walking through dead, moonless nights marching

Created dried blood trails, leading us on.

Taking us down to this misted Valley

Of Echoes never-ending

For combining our singing, wishes sending

Pray peaceful ending rest, for our black and lonely souls.’

The old woman came over and took my hand

‘It’s time’, She said, ‘you’ve learned

I’ve talked the walk, you walked the talk

It’s time you sing, be heard’.

‘It is good seeing you once again’, I sang

As the Sun rose in my eyes

In these lands that rest between life and Life

Called dead by blinded eyes.

And so did I leave her kindness’s door

To venture on Trails with job to do

With Silver and Gold Lights well in hand

Reflecting back Dark, with lighted powers of Good.

Oh, how did they run, those Shamans so bold

Thinking themselves wily, powerful, and strong

Forgetful in seeing how Light does its work

Freeing the savable from all that’s wrong.

And behind me I heard Her chuckling sounds

The old woman trying to hide her mirth

Less what was sung would be muted wrong

No joke was here playing, on this saddest turf.