A Ballad For Ylajali

A million eyes stare down upon the city.
As night envelopes the tall starved squares,
They reveal their menacing white fangs.
And a forsaken witch cries out
For her bloodied lover.

But Ylajali sleeps soundly on her ivory bed.
Her glowing skin mocking the mighty moon.
Her chocolate hair held in place by a clasp.
Except for one insolent curl
Falling over her brow.

I remember the times we spent together.
The stories we told each other.
the songs we sang to one another.

I remember the nights I spent in your arms.
The warmth of your touch defying the icy wind.
The intoxication of your breath
Running riot in my brain.
The soft, sweet words that arose from your ruby lips.
Singing me to sleep - Ylajali's lullaby.

Oh Ylajali! I would be the candle
That lights the shadows on your face.
I would be the song that brings a smile to your lips.
I would be the magic lamp
that makes your wishes come true.
If I could, I would be the sun
That dries the tears from your eyes.

....................................................................

A ray of light appears from behind a cloud.
The sun awakens from its slumber.
The leaves end their wild, wayward dance.
The moon flees in holy dread.
The million eyes snap shut.
The birds chirp away in noiseless ecstasy.

But Ylajali does not stir from her bed.
She lies still....a bit too still.
Undisturbed by my savage cries.
My tears cannot awaken her.

I stand on the edge of a river.
And she on the other side.
But the water's too deep, too dark.
Too full of misery.

My dreams lie shattered on the earth before me.
I sit on the grass, moist with its tears.
The leaping red and gold flames giving me company.
A violin somewhere sheds notes of sorrow.
A thousand angels start dancing to its tune.
Heralding a new arrival at the gates of Heaven.

Goodbye my Ylajali, goodbye my lover.