my head is bloody, but unbowed

Life's Length

Dying ain't short - from that one cry
as air first fills the tiny lung
to the last glimpse of earthly hells
from where so meagre joys are wrung -
an arduous and bitter ride,
and homeward the fancy takes flight,
but in justice we find delight
and we sing as we go to fight,
for pride is stronger than all pain
even if we toil in vain.

Birthright

"Unloved must you wander,"
said the gods to the bard,
"a secret honor's bearer,
ne'er to touch what you guard."
And still he guards it proudly,
though tears flavor his nights,
though his soul's sea is stormy,
on new shores he alights:
to bear the word he is bound,
with it to live and die,
until victory is found,
never to rest - but fly.