The Shield

By Kevin Robey February 24, 2013 This was my shield, now covered in rust Laying in this dying field, collecting dust Once it shined, and guarded my soul Repelled the evil, from demons and trolls I put down my shield for you it’s true I freed my hands, so I could catch you With open palms and steady arms I fought to protect you from any harm But it never happened, you never fell I was not to save you, from your hell I thought the demons, with grips too tight That kept you from me, try as you might Sadly I realized, this wasn’t true You weren’t captive, the demon was you I grabbed your hand, my skin burned black Scarred head to toe, my soul taken back Hollow and numb, I felt nothing from then on I was too broken to even sing a sad song I hurt myself to help cushion the fall Just to feel something, anything at all To my dismay, numbness ensued I couldn’t stop thinking of you So the war waged on, in my heart and soul I fear my heart will never again be whole There may not be hope, for someone like me For whom death is the one way to be free But I soldier on looking for that perfect song To express what I’ve been feeling all along Songs are brave things, courageous to embark On bleak roads with no silver lining, no end to the dark Stories demand endings, often happy ones I’ll never have a story, when all’s said and done I look to my shield, recall the warrior I used to be But you took my fight, left my bones soft and weary It’s all the same, for the battle has left this field A place where long ago, I put down my shield I turn away, and leave this hollow city of bones With no weapons or shield, into endless unknowns Down war torn roads from post-apocalyptic dreams The skies forever grey, these are my new realities This was my shield, now covered in rust Lays next to my heart, now collecting dust I’ll cover these tattoos and gaping wounds Hoping to stave off my awaiting tomb I venture into the abyss, never to be seen again… [originally started writing this in a hotel in Alabama in 2012]