Till He Forgets His Name

Till He Forgets His Name
© Surazeus
2024 01 29

He lies still on his back in sunlit woods 
so long, without breathing, as if asleep, 
leaves falling from oak trees cover his soul 
so he disappears from eyes of the deer 
that wander by, discussing where to graze, 
till he forgets the secret of his name. 

He wanders circles in the sunlit woods 
so long, without the fruit on apple trees, 
stones align themselves along his foot path 
so people traveling by in caravans 
find the right way to busy market towns, 
till he forgets how to fly among clouds. 

He lurks on the boulder in sunlit woods 
so long, without spreading his angel wings, 
vines entangle his skeleton with books 
concealing coded riddles of dead gods 
so children light candles on his cracked skull, 
till he forgets how to sing spells with birds. 

He hugs statue of the angel with hands 
so long, without asking her her real name, 
ravens bring him mushrooms from cave of dreams 
for him to eat foul spirit of the Earth 
so wolves race past his shadow on the lake, 
till he forgets the reason he was born. 

He floats on surging ocean waves of faith 
so long, without feeling rays of the sun, 
clouds weep for absence of his vibrant soul, 
and mountains howl with sorrow at his death 
so strangers pose for photos at his cave, 
till he forgets how long the Earth has spun. 

He swims in river Boyne of flashing light 
so long, without weird knowledge of the rain, 
quick salmon swarm into his open hands 
so he roasts fish on flickering flames of truth 
that burns his thumb, which he sucks in his mouth, 
till he forgets lost wisdom of the stars. 

He hunts swift leaping deer in sunlit woods 
so long, without spear he used to kill Aillen, 
his dogs protect Sadhbh, cursed by Fear Doirich, 
so his kiss transforms her back to a woman 
who becomes pregnant with child of his love, 
till he forgets sweet beauty of her face. 

He searches for his abducted bride Sadhbh 
so long, without wreath he wove for their wedding, 
ravens lead him to young boy with her face, 
so he calls Oisin with voice of sad joy 
and teaches him to play oak harp of Bragi, 
till he forgets his name is Finn MacCool.