Begrudgingly from beyond
The specter stealthily stepped
Dragging corpses in its wake
Of promises yet unkept.
Hesitantly from haze
The wraith restlessly returned
Sweeping ashes from the grave
Of happiness it burned.
Distantly from darkness
The spirit suddenly sprang
Bearing scars of conflagration
From the hatred that it sang.
Gathered in a circle
Repentant revenants wait
For any sign of redemption
To appear beyond the gate.
From forgotten sins of arrogance
To failure of disbelief.
One chance yet remains
To muster magic from the grief.
Moments before sunrise
In gathering light above
Three metaphors transform
Into faith, hope, and love.
Mannino Acid 