Requiem in Defiance

Beneath the garden, stardust sown to ground

in state he lies. So stripped of pride these bones

are, so transcribed from fleshly palette to

this empty slate, in latent power crowned

a king though circumscribed and ironbound,

a thrown down throneless sovereign overgrown

by time. What ancient rhyme will liven true

ascent, awaken daybreak to confound

the twilight’s turn to night? Though death pursue

with greedy bands its might must fail. Late

the grave retains its prey and holds its sway

but oh, these bones will reign! A cyclone waits

to blow this eager throne-bound stardust through

new Eden’s gaping gates at break of day.

author: Mark Rico