The bullet wound, the spilling blood
Chaos reigning, madness is a check
His arms fall limp at his sides
My legs lose their life
We’re both fatally injured
And we’re both going to die
But the weapons cease to fall
Neither of us about to bow down
The rage in our eyes, burning bright
The hatred in our hearts, our ancestors sowed
Oh, what has it come to?
Their fighting and their fury
Two friends once inseparable
Now ready to take the others’ life
Seeds of intolerance decades before
With careful hands, rash minds,
They nourished in our souls
And now when the battlefield is set
We stand here waiting for death
Shallow breaths and narrow minds
Not ready to see the truth in time
A moment too late
My blade has cut
Damage too deep upon my soul
I, myself, have wrought
As his limp body falls to the ground
I crawl forth on shaking limbs
His body is not yet cold
His breaths have not yet left him
And in desperation, I pray
To a God I had forgotten
“Oh God, forgive me and have mercy,
My brother is now leaving me
Take my life too, I’m afraid to live
I fear the pain I have caused.
My brother, please forgive,
I should not have listened when they spoke
When in my heart and in my head
An ember they put
I allowed them to fan the flames
I forgot the love and the honest times
I forgot everything that was mine
Seeking only revenge,
I have now caused your death
In payment of a feud of long ago
Where my forefathers were enemies of yours’
Oh brother, I should never have listened
To their seductive whisperings
Dear God, give me another chance!”
But time is past and chances are few
With what we are given, we must make do
And as my breath is about to leave me
I bequeath you these memories
Make no mistake of such magnitude
Be of sound mind and braver heart
Stand by who you love.
History must never repeat itself
My brother’s body grows cold
And my mind grows tired and old
My soul has long ago been lost to me
I fear the day I meet my maker
For when He asks me what I have done
The only words that shall leave me are,
“Oh, what have I done?
Burnt all the bridges, set fire to all my loved ones
Watched as the embers died and ashes remained.”
Those of you that come after me,
Never forget the price you shall pay
The guilt and sorrow will make you waste away
Because when you light a fire
And leave it be
Prepare yourself for one day
You shall be burning in its midst.
I have told you all I could
The blood feud of centuries seemingly settled
Two brothers die to pay the price
Love and all that is holy
Weeps as I cry my goodbyes
My repentance is great
But of time and forgiveness, I shall have none
I hope and pray
That someone, someday
Learns to look beyond the hate.
