From Time's first stirring of momentary dread Hope is crushed by tyranny where what might be lies broken Under a brightly garnered garland a siren of sweet promises. As if the stains of blood and tears were sweet red wine And the stench of death, decay and suffering were a fragrant English rose. A dragon, curled smoke, flame licked nostril with eye dulled Glistening wet with borrowed grief and unspoken screams beyond Iron bars wrought hardened with lie, where caged labour pays fealty to Our Lord of Life. Unbroken links bonded like blood in clay, dulled with glam Proclaiming tyranny where Liberty quakes and quivers To read 'Yours, from the beginning of time till the end of Forever.' A howling wind of Time bestrides this World beyond a World, it Stands alone untainted, unbroken ribbon of Light through the ink A witness to Love and rich testament of sparkling terror, speaks 'Yours, from life's first breath till our Sun's final bow.' Michael Snell ©2016 All rights reserved.