Queen of the night

Through windows glass stained
light beams crawl, fighting through
to call us back from dreamy shores
reminding us it's not yet over
Hell be upon and night long still
the dark queen lords over day and night
with fell crown of a thousand spikes
one for each nation, color and tribe

We heard she came from farthest east

riding the cold grey winter winds

born from sin when man played god

maybe rumour, maybe true, but here she is

conquering tribes on the silken road

not color, nor coin, nor creed she cared

calling the eldest of man by name

making widows and orphans in cold dark night

and carrion of many in the daylight time

Fear, tears, whispers of death

are all we have in sleepy hollow towns

earth is dark and soil yet still

as earth is sown by her green jade kiss

alchemists unlearn all books yet hold

the harp is broken, and string is torn

songs forgotten of love and light

poems and rhyme ashen and lost

We look to the stars for sign, for hope

lo we are small when all is quiet

for gods retreat behind those pearly gates

they are silent, they are none, they are gone, they are dead?

all is undone and so is order

walls come falling, the gates throw open

for she is become death, destroyer of worlds

    --© Henry Akuete, 2020_