A Refugee's Journey

"A Refugee's Journey", by Justynian Addelthorp

"There once was a lad, with light in his eyes,

And adventuring born in his heart.

One dark, chilly night, with stars in his sight,

He did on a journey embark."

"Oh yes, he did on a journey embark."

"'Now where shall I start?', the boy asked himself,

'And what shall my journey's end be?'

Thoughts bounced in his head and he grinned when he said,

'I shall travel till I reach the sea.'"

"'What a wonderous sight it must be!'"

"He walked down the road, and skipped as he strode,

Till now a dark forest he reached.

A crow standing there shrieked. 'Traveler beware!

Turn back while you can!', it beseeched."

"'Beware a forest time could not breach.'"

"The boy did believe the warning received

From this mysterious crow in his path.

'But a yearn in my soul says I must reach my goal

And so through these woods I must pass.'"

"And sands of time poured down the glass."

"He noticed the trees, all cluttered with leaves,

Had covered the sky and turned all into seeming.

He could not tell dark, he could not tell light,

It almost felt like he was dreaming."

"In a forest where time had no meaning."

"The night became day, the day became night,

In moments the months seemed to fly.

The boy stared with glee, as he now reached the sea,

Though it felt like a but a night had gone."

"'Twas ten years in the blink of an eye!"

"He rested his feet, with his journey complete,

But he longed for the place he called home.

'I miss all my friends, my family and things

And to sleep in a bed of my own...'"

"'I grow weary of being alone.'"

"He traveled once more, through the Forest of Lore,

With another ten years flying by.

'I bet nothing has changed and my friends are the same.

I can't wait to see the look in their eyes!'"

"But instead reached his home, much surprised."

"For on his returning, his village was burning.

His people were screaming in fear.

A man dashing by, yelled 'Stranger, be spry!

Take wind and get out of here!'"

"'The dead have arose and are near!'"

"The leader's voice boomed, 'Look back and you're doomed

Do not turn your heads or shed tears.

Our brethern are slain, but their legacy remains.

Let us now find a home we won't fear...'"

"'A home that is far, far from here.'"

"The boy, much confused, now listened for news

On what could have caused this destruction.

Just then a man spoke, 'The barrier broke!

What weakened its mystic construction?'"

"Twas Lyras who caused this corruption!'"

"'But how can that be?!', scoffed one refugee,

'We all know that Lyras is dead.'

A gnome then replied, Tis true, Lyras died

But she's now rose again from her bed.'"

"Many days through the land, the group tread."

"The refugees walked until finally blocked

By the gate of a town they'd not known.

They stayed in this place, with all kinds of race,

And there, to this day, call it home."

"And never again shall they roam."

The song ends in a minor key.