Obsequiae In The Absence Of Light
Resonant strings of devotion
By which all life is allured
Echoed the crests of the Tracian ocean
To the forests where they were procured
Carried through the oaken woods
And by Eurydice was admired
She came to him in her supple grace
And was all that he desired
No sooner than their love was bound
And their vows were solemnly spoken
The young bride struck by a serpent
And Orpheus' heart was broken
Burdened by grief, he appealed with song
To the gods who rule the dark and silent world
He struck his lyre and they were charmed to stillness
As the passion in his strings unfurled
Ixion's wheel was motionless
As the underworld was met with tears
"The debt of life was paid too soon
Let me have her the rest of my years"
"You may have her but you must not look upon her until you've passed through this realm"
They journeyed back through the worlds
At first light Orpheus rejoiced
He turned back to catch his love
In the moment she was destroyed
For the rest of his life in the absence of light
Every shadow held a phantom
His songs were played with mournful wishes
And a hope the fates might grant them