Advance

I think

I just realised

Last night upon a balcony

With smoke curling around my fingers

And settling on my eyelashes

That the world had shifted.

This pale blue orb spins on

Doing the same old pirouettes

But I am out of step

It is a foreign place

to me

This is not the world I knew

As a child, once this place

glimmered

with hope

and promise

a thousand islands 

waiting to bestow upon me their treasure.

Now I see it as a hostile land

I must fight for every breath

Each day anew the sun burns on

With fire

And with ice

But I do not care for such trivial things

I have found greater treasures

Than I could ever dream

Amongst these wastelands

And the army with which I wage war upon these lands

Is mighty indeed

Clothed in regal armour

Shinning

As has not been seen for many an age

There are veterans here

Wisened old men who guide me

Keen eyes that foreshadow the coming of our enemy

Tired eyes that have seen it all before

There are gentle hands

To heal my wounds

To flood my veins with strength

And give me courage. 

So as I look beyond the smoke

As electric stars line the horizon

My army strong behind me

The desert vast beyond me

I am at peace

For but one moment

As I know the world has shifted

Then we advance.