One Can Almost Not

One Can Almost Not
© Surazeus
2025 08 12

One can almost not hear song of the rain 
echo down long dark hallways of old schools 
where weeping fairies who clutch leather books 
scatter letters from ancient epics on the floor 
till they sprout butterfly wings and escape 
solemnity of anguish no one shares. 

One can almost not see wild man of bones 
leaping aloft on wings of wicked laughter 
while chasing young lovers in misty vales 
to tear beauty from their soft writhing bodies 
with mortal blow of the drunken wingbeat 
that cracks glaciers converting tears to lakes. 

One can almost not smell pungent regret 
dispersed in sterile winds of wretched faith 
that glistens with sharp ennui of contempt 
when vampire swan with wings blackened by blood 
scatters horror of death from twisted plumes 
caught in the phantom engine of the plane. 

One can almost not taste metallic lust 
immobilized by scorn of useless hope 
that countless wanderers across waste lands 
never sing in hymns at founding of kingdoms 
that crumble at crack of demonic eggs 
when no one shakes anguish off in hot rain. 

One can almost not touch svelte flesh of pain 
who lies on bed of roses in dark grotto 
dripping with perfume of angelic blood 
at how gods alter loyalties of fools 
by clutching votive scroll of prophecies 
soaked in pool of mud in the bright swamp. 

One can almost not feel struggle undone 
by graceless waddle of the crippled king 
who vainly clutches broken wand of power 
while teaching children how to chant weird spells 
when they appear on television shows 
anxious to win the contest for world fame. 

One can almost not know truth about Death 
who stares at us for endless centuries 
as we perform our duties to the land 
through calculation against bitter fate 
to gain perspective on the way of things, 
consigned to always replay how we die. 

One can almost not sing reflective psalm 
concerning methods gods use to rule mankind 
by pulling painted faces from cracked mirrors 
enough to navigate needs of the people 
who strive to transcend trap of royalty 
based on excessive prayers dead angels eat.