Poems of Narad

The Shores of Oblivion

I looked out at the emptiness of space,
Haunted by the vision of a face
Remembered in the reaches of the soul
And heard far-off the bells of mercy toll
As I walked upon the shores of oblivion.

I saw the dying year, petal fall
And leaf fall and heard the wild drake's call,
Knew loneliness so deep within me well
As I gazed and faced the vastitude of hell
And I stood upon the shores of oblivion.

I felt the waves lapping at my feet
And in the distance sailing Death's grey fleet
Carried souls into the unlit spheres
And wasting on the sands my useless tears
Stared at an ocean of oblivion.

When nothing can be seen but darkness' face
And we unable to accept the Grace
That marshals hosts of seraphim to heal
The shattered heart when sombre shadows steal
Across the empty straits of oblivion.

Yet ever thy smile uplifts, I shall not drown
Though a thousand siren voices call me down
To icy depths where darker angels weep
And beckon the spirit to forgetful sleep
Beneath the silent shores of oblivion.

O soul do not accept the easy death,
Fight on alone with every pain-seared breath,
Unfathomed are the seas of ignorance,
Press on, assume the spirit's highest stance
And sail beyond the shores of oblivion.