Your Great Empire Falls

Your Great Empire Falls
© Surazeus
2025 05 10

While they sing of the Promised Land in church 
I stand up and walk out the shadow door 
to stand beneath the flowering chestnut tree 
where birds discuss romantic states of mind. 
If I become the lark no one hears sing 
then no one can steal my liberty wing. 

Frogs croak in the pond by the cemetery 
where my ancestors can hear their lonely songs. 
I vow while gripping yew bow of concern 
to dedicate my heart to right all wrongs 
unjustly done to the weak by the strong, 
then stare at the river flow in bright haze. 

Strange sleepiness seems to numb my fierce heart 
with anguish of suffering people endure 
who struggle to survive hunger and fear 
enforced by men on horses with sharp swords. 
Cars honk as traffic lights flash green and red 
past park where I doze in the afternoon. 

We found the Promised Land across the sea 
after we escaped the dark castle keep 
and sailed by ship to search for liberty 
through storms that almost wrecked our fragile faith. 
We killed the native tribes of paradise 
and built this empire of true faith with guns. 

Swift horses, we once rode with gusting wind 
to build vast empires sea to shining sea 
for God on Earth who reigns on throne of gold 
from Tower of Babel on pyramid 
we built with bleeding hands of loyalty, 
now graze all day in fenced fields of regret. 

Pink flowers of the wind-blown chestnut tree 
spiral from heaven to glow in my hair 
as I watch people drive cars somewhere else 
with frantic purpose to earn wealth of faith. 
As homeless savior of the busy world, 
I wait the hour you call for me to rule. 

Three thousand years ago I harrowed hell 
to save my love from slavery of fear, 
but learned I cannot bring the dead to life 
for once our bodies crumble into dust 
our animating souls disperse in wind. 
Yet still I hope to give her life again. 

The oldest woman in the world strolls by 
the park bench where I ponder history 
to pause with gleam of wisdom in her eye 
as she gives me fresh hamburger and fries, 
so I hold communion with faith in love 
while your great empire falls around your heads.