++ Lovers across time  ++

I live a dream of love tonight, 

and slip by dark across this gate

that guards the castle cold and still; 

which beckons in the moonlight.

Tall and lean with muscles strong, 

I cross the open fields of old,

my thoughts in distant past so long, 

of hazel eyes and locks of gold.

A tangled mass of vines ahead, 

beyond the mote, all dark with dread;

with dangers shrouded in its midst, 

“to stop the best of men”, 'tis said.

Breathing deep and stretching long, 

I fill my lungs with cool night air, 

and ready strength to swim afar, 

across this moat of darkness’ lair.

Silent power in my strokes, 

I swim across the waters cold, 

which circle distant walls that hold 

those hazel eyes and locks of gold.

Somewhere looming in the night, 

beneath dark waters stirring,

ghoulish fangs in jaws await, 

for one wrong move occurring.

The wall is near, and then I touch, 

the slick and hidden entry; 

a crack, known only to a few, 

who dare to pass beyond its sentry.

I sense a stirring deep below, 

of jaws to round my body fold:

that seek to stop my quest of old, 

for hazel eyes and locks of gold.

Into the crack, almost fitting; 

working, squeezing, pushing, hitting,

knowing that the seconds pass; 

and the fangs are growing near. 

Drawing blade for timely battle, 

just as gnawing jaws appear;

flashing eyes, red and molten; 

hissing nostrils breathing fear.

Thoughts of silken locks of gold, 

and hazel eyes that know no time;

transform the shiver in my spine, 

and draw it firm in muscles fine.

Quicker than the jaws could close, 

I thrust the knife into the shape, 

then slash a spot of weakness known; 

and set it all agape.

Sinking into waters deep, the menace gone, 

and none shall weep;

I turn my strength toward crack to push; 

and strain, and push some more.

Then with yearning in my heart,

to see those hazel eyes far more, 

I thrust with final burst of strength 

and slither onto cellar’s floor.

Thinking I am moments near, 

I smile at golden locks of time,

that wait for my arrival dear, 

with praying words sublime.

Iron swords clanking fast, 

as running marching guards appear;

in shafts of light, 'neith wooden door; 

that lead to hazel eyes so near.

Darkness is my only friend, 

this moment of arrival ill. 

I stand as firm as pillar stone, 

with marching guards that chill.

Their anger glowing in the dark, 

I see there’s two; no more;

with swords that shine like beacons,

from light beneath the door.

And now my blade in silent acts, 

quiets first of fools so bold, 

to stop my entry through the door, 

that leads to locks of gold.

But then a hand upon my throat, 

and gnashing dagger scratching arm; 

I twist and squirm to free the grip, 

blade whizzing with alarm.

A third guard crept, out of the night, 

to stop my quest above;

to put an end to promises

the King had made for locks of love.

A promise made upon his throne, 

one stormy day of rain and cold;

then passed so wide across the land 

through glen and valley tavern’s told. 

It went: that he to challenge death, 

into the guarded tower bold,

should have the hand of daughter kept, 

with hazel eyes and locks of gold.

But first all men that try this deed 

must meet with King and guard, 

each to sign his name in blood; 

within a crowded courtyard.

“I want your clever bravery”, 

said King his promise told, 

to those who value love enough, 

to save the “towered” locks of gold.

Then after sacred signing acts; 

and after drinking wine; 

and after guards had seen their prey; 

and after laughter fine;

the challenge takers stayed the night, 

to sleep on rocks of cold,

that in the morning they might see 

those hazel eyes and locks of gold.

Each man did bow and look at her 

with thoughts of lust and more.

All except young seeker, I: 

who knew those eyes from long before!

Before, and in some distant land, 

beyond the march of time; 

beyond the line of life and death, 

beyond where spirits shine. 

Then in that very moment’s bow, 

we knew each others thoughts:

and witnessed visions of the past,

that came with flashing shots!

Of time remembered, lying still, 

with love, in fields of corn;

Of laughter on the ocean waves;

Of gardens wide, with rose and thorn.

These thoughts we knew together now! 

Of deeds that happened long before.

So she did pray I save the day,

to live those times again, and more. 

Now the stabbing pain in arm, 

and clenching fist on neck,

brings me back to here and now, 

from out beyond an ocean wreck; 

that haunts my memory from before:

in days that we last lived!!!

I turn and lunge within dim dark, 

from light beneath the door,

and twist the lurching guard to meet 

a sword from friend no more.

The other guard was shocked in fright,

to kill his own the cause;

he froze one final moment long, 

that ended with his fatal pause.

Now the quiet echoes fade, 

to rest with dreams past told,

of smiling, laughing, hazel eyes, 

and ocean wind in locks of gold. 

At last I move from cellar dark, 

into the castle bright;

to start my climb through gray stone walls, 

and splendid rooms of gleaming light.

Through caverns filled with jewels I tread, 

with ancient paintings old;

all of it reminding me 

of hazel eyes and locks of gold.

I find an open balcony, 

and climb strong vines that lead, 

to heights above the safety; 

away from caverns filled with greed.

The distant past inspires me, 

to climb with tight clenched hold,

and recollect the laughter

in those hazel eyes and locks of gold. 

It may have been one hundred years, 

a thousand, even more,

the last time that our souls did cross 

the bounds from distant shore.

And now at last we meet again,

at odds to large to count;

and life is filled with meaning

in this passion deed of great account.

Watched by other souls like mine, 

and those of higher order still,

all moments joined together now, 

I act alone, and free in will.

I climb with ancient souls aboard, 

and ones that need to know;

about the driving force of love, 

and universal acts that show.

Not many men have played this game 

with stakes as high as these;

where odds have come together 

causing all of time to freeze. 

If only for an instant long, 

to gaze in hazel eyes, 

these souls that know me at this time; 

will learn and be more wise.

The final stone before the top,

with castle guards aligned,

could they only see my shape

their disbelief maligned.

But who would take the dangerous route, 

from cellar, up the wall

to risk the promised locks of gold

in tumbling death and fall?

And so, I will surprise them,

in their nonchalant content;

taking battle from their hands,

before their arm to sword is bent.

I peer upon a sleeping crew,

and smile a muffled laugh,

to then recall the courtyard fire,

that night I started on this path.

The all of them were boisterous,

in honor, deep with bloat.

They “wouldn’t let an unknown son

get beyond the marsh or mote”.

And now they sleep like babies, 

in the womb of wine and mirth;

as I slip past their silent crew,

all waiting for tomorrow’s birth.

And now I steal behind a drape,

and then across the room,

to view her silent sleeping eyes,

and locks of gold, like silken loom.

I kiss her gentle sleeping lips,

and wake her with soft touch;

then tell her of my clever plan

to leave this place and venture such.

“We’ll sail the seven seas again,

to visit distant lands;

of garden’s natural paradise

beyond the King’s controlling hands.”

“But first, we must steal out of here”,

I say, with laughing face;

as we pass by those sleeping guards 

that lie, before they knew to chase.

And so we move like silken cats,

away from walls that cage;

and into freedom’s open arms

beyond cruel guards that stalk with rage.

Beyond gray walls that wreak with fear,

that bound like shrouds of twine;

and out into the morning sun: 

…and into endless time...

Jim Brennan

February 14, 1998