1. Story Of The River

It starts with a few drops, trickling from out of a rock

The rock splits, and so a small stream begins to pour forth, then there is the hurdle of the first dam 

The water builds slowly at first, but then, as the rock splits more, the spring gushes forth.

The spring pushes the water over the first wall, and a small trickle streams down

There we find a pond

The water holds forth for a while, sharing itself generously with all around

Trees above shade the infant watering hole, protecting it from the blistering rays of the thirsty sun

The water overflows it's great bounty into a small pool 

It zigs and zags down the mountain, pushing the walls of earth further apart

Then it is joined by another spring, and then another

Soon the cascading run of water is a creek flowing forth

They are joined together in a great bowl near the base of the mountain

There they rest for a short while

The earth drinks, and the sun gulps, yet the creek grows steadily

The earth grows full and can contain it no further, the autumn breeze pushes the sun to warmer places 

The lake grows until the earth bursts away, and there the water flows out

It rages through the brush, cutting away all in its path

It rushes down the mountain, it's joy at being free overshadowing it's caution

There the river forms and flows, cutting the landscape into a valley

It's playful torrent quiets as it grows older 

The river deepens and widens until it finds its mother, the ocean, once again

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2. Deaths count

He came in the night while I was gone

He took note of all in my home

He counted all but one

So he set flame to my abode 

As I strode late into the night 

The crows tried to warn me

Tell me to be quick home

But I ignored their worried caw

Soon to be devastated by what I saw 

Death had left only ash

He waited for me to go and watched for my return

And upon the reveal I could stay no more

Like a hero in my stories I was burdened to go

So out into the world I would travel now

Off to find the bird that once helped me to sing

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3. My Poem

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I like it, they say

It sounds nice, but to me its jarring

Each word and voice a harsh Echo

But it's really just me sounding my worry

I read my words and think them sly, but only at first

Then I read them again

Each verse more grating than the last

But again they say more

I hear the Echo of my tales

Yet for me it's a record of shame

While they clap and cheer, inside I jeer

Unhappy at the outcome, for I just can't see

In my heart I cry beg and scream

And I wish nothing more than to hear what they hear

For I look down upon myself just to raise them up

For always must I be below, while they are above

Taught or learned it doesn't matter

I am here now read to write

Though it pains me so 

How can I stop?

If I don't put pen to paper my heart is sure to drop

One rhyme here and a clever verse there

Suddenly they once again cheer

Left by myself I wallow

Surrounded by such a crowd

Yet I still feel all alone

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4. Soldier Retired

Old, but not wise

And that's the way I like it

For to be wise, is to be truly old

But I am yet to be such

Though I am looked on as so

Surely it's not just my propose

I sully myself in the battle for others

Left with nothing for myself, a new adventure I seek

For boredom is my enemy

It seeks and follows me all the days I run

For if I were to stop I am to die. 

But be not sad for me, as it's all in good fun

Look at me now and I'll be off quick

On another journey, for I can't be tied down

Besides, where else am I to go?

For it's war I've ever known 

So from one field to another, I don't care now

I'll die in battle so help me I swear

For fear is not my enemy, but boredom

And so onward I go, seeking yet more

For I still have a lot of life to live

And I am to some, an unprecedented gift. 

I'll go now into hell

But it's not death that guides me

But the desire to live

I can't help my self but to push on

So until I die 

I must believe I cannot die

But now for me I do not fight

For a new purpose I shall find

A family true and good to me

And unlike my last one, this one is kind

So now I'll lay down my life

Not because I am expected to

But for my family 

Soon, I'll give all I have

And at the end of it all

I'll be happy to be bored

If it means my loved ones

Are now safe and secured

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5. Marching into Hades

Into the maw I go

The danger and dread are my friends

We walk together closely

The three of us intertwined into hell

I walk the line that others dare not tread

I go forward marching to death

Bet he is my friend too

A glance and a quick peck

Death sets me free

I walk again into the maw

With comrades I move

In formation we weave

As one unit we press the attack

To my right a dozen men

To my left a dozen more

We stand together to fight as one unit

With my comrades I move

Nowhere to go I am left away

Off on my own I have to find my path

Yet alone I am one 

For one is always none

Without my comrades I have no defense

Though danger and dread be my friend

Without my comrades 

I have nowhere to go

Rejoined again and back to the maw

But a different gate I take to a different hell

This one more personal

We pass together again moving as one

They are not my old comrades

Fear and danger abound around me now

And dread I have in my heart

This time death looks a mighty foe

But unto that maw my new family and I go

And if we are to die

I hope we can be rejoined again