And God Spoke

On his knees, the young man cried out to his Lord

“Deliver me from the evil of my people,” he implored

The sweat on his skin sucked dust from ground and his own clothes

The elders gathered in forced sorrow with a silent hope of prosperity

Thoughts of mercy were fleeting, faced with the monstrous greed of empire building

Their tears flowed free and fast, yet his mind scryed for where two seas collide in violent meeting

Lips quivering, the young man steeled himself in blinding white raiment as the axe fell

And blood spilled

Thundering hooves kicked blood-spattered dust in the air

War deafened the pleas of the elders and instilled compliance

The clash of steel upon flesh rendered even the brave into silence

Death and dishonor, children paid for the sins of their fathers

Promise of prosperity lost, progeny enslaved, their hope led to slaughter

Cursed by the wheel of kismet, nature restored order

From the fate of his people, the young man was delivered

And God Spoke