The Table of Souls

One thousand steps to the demise of the day
One thousand degrees while the sun flares and wanes
As I stare at the curve of the spine of this land
One thousand bottles pass through my hands

Now they say you've gone under but I saw you ascend
Holding aloft a gold ring and a brand
Now a thousand meanings have clouded that code
And one thousand sorrows have darkened my road

When will I find the light?
How will I use the light?
And by my very life
Do I reduce the light?

Will the light that I lack
Come back to smite my diffident soul?
What did my empty hands hold?

We came upon that bright plain, strangers
One thousand miles till we met on that hill
Then down to the valley where the rain rages
One thousand years and it's raging still

Now all cries for mercy they go unheeded
And miseries worsen and miseries pour
Then finally left to bow down, defeated
A thousand supplicants to the wrath of the Lord

Did we receive the light?
Why did we leave the light?
To grope a vacant night
Like naked acolytes

Gone blind to the Christ
From the thousand sights
Our eyes did behold
Trauma upon trauma upon trauma
One thousand fold

From my chair I stare at the encroachment of night
A herd of women pass through my sights
A herd of men construct castles in clay
I heard you coming from miles away

But I defy you to smile should you look on my face
All the traits you revile are carved into that space
And if you don't want for violence, don't speak and don't think
Simply sit there in silence and silently drink

And should we find the light
Since we maligned the light
We'll simply act contrite
And crawl to paradise

Two parasites for the Lord
Restored at last

To the Table of Souls
To the Table of Souls
To the Table of Souls
To the Table of Souls
The Table of Souls
To the Table of Souls
To the Table of Souls
To the Table of Souls
To the Table of Souls
The Table of Souls