Toll

Little village – no more
Only a trace of what was before
The butchers did what ghastly deed
How many did bleed?
Toll

A solemn bell hung by a cord
Still tolls, too late, a warning chord
Or perhaps, crying, mourn
Its eerie sound, forlorn
Toll

Houses burned to their bones
Blackened, smoking frame of homes
Torn fabric hung aside
Shudders at cold wind north
Fire upon ice
Toll

Empty town – none at all
Perhaps had fled from previous fright
And unsuspecting died at night
Bodies no trace but
Ashes in wind
Toll

Vacant, not a sign of ones before
Open past a smoldering door
Gone all lost
But a lonesome doll
Limp, no motion as dead
Toll

Sky blazing angry red
Obscured by blackéd dread
Smoke drifts in the chill breeze
Firey ice sting the skin
Toll

Toll

Toll – across a hill
Where hidden bodies lay
Broken wheel – silent turnings
Mortality cuts the wheel of life
O the price that was paid!
Toll

In the village, grave of snow
In the valley, grave
Heat of rage of battle
Warm blood spilt hath melt away
Snow as not to stay
Toll

Upon the ground of death
Lies a body which life was reft
A helmet beside of fallen
From which a feather stands tall – in
Remembrance
Toll

Son, O mourn thy father
Honor to one who hath pass
From this world to another
Ringing, drawn sword – singing
Mourn
Toll

Pierced ground of the sword
Upon which helmet rests
Tribute paid for –
Toll

Lonesome doll lain by stake
For this the spirits could not take
So, left in snow, its shallow grave
Sign of what was paid
What all who passes their life gave
Toll

Map - explore this temple

Return to the Temple