Amaranth Bouquet

Severed not with iron spade
nor trampled under promenade
withers not at heavens stay
nor suffers eras' slow decay
ceaseless wonders of heaven's grace
my gift a glory that cannot fade
not of this earth where daisies brave
my love toward you, an amaranth bouquet

Endless fields and acres of the length of days
precious yield of harvest adorned in heaven's array
puddles betwixt my paces covering the earth with rain
as the sparrows sing as angels the cryptic verse of fate
for the earth and crops of glory humbly fail to attain
living only a term, to tell the tale, of my love which shall remain
in unfertile lands of filth and dung, blooms a sentiment unfeigned
envied of the heavens, beloved of the grave
born in the midst of mystery, which God wisely left unnamed
for the world knows not the glory of the amaranth bouquet

Ante Bellum (In Search of the Sun)

In search of the sun, the skies of dancing flame
on the road to heaven I come, but my view remains unchanged
drown in seas, the carmine flood, in this world I'm forced to stay
roam this globe of filth and dust as I'm destined to become again
look back on how far I've come, and see just how far I've strayed
lost without the Holy One, betrayed along the way
my waste of days in search of the one to dry my tears of rain
I await this day in the sun, the day that never came

My days of pain, these still remain
and no salvation found in death
and much to my shame, I see that I've aged
but haven't gone the distance yet
I tear my shrouds for a break in the clouds
but I've never caught a glimpse of it
so standing proud, I cry aloud
exhaling my first breath

And I recall the times, in the back of my mind
as His words do run me through
when I could have seen my life, flash before my eyes
and seen “that it was good!”

Conspiracy Cadence

Man your stations, load the cannons
start invasions, sound the captains
call for cadence, send in battalions
no time for patience, this is what we've practiced
flip the switch while we have advantage
fire at will, with prejudice and passion
let there be no hesitations or distractions
and may God save us for our actions

Danse Macabre

My conquest of this world to fill the appetites never ceased
but the theory doesn't compensate what the practice never pleased
show myself a beggar at the banquet of the king's
'cause I can't satisfy my want from down upon my knees
gallantry my ghost, beholding all my dreams
my inequity exposed, and peasantry perceived
exalt my name as eminence, mine own self deceived
prove myself a prince, but among the thieves
a sluggard rests from service upon the master's seat
yet mine errand left undone as I sit down to eat
my delight upon these dainties, known never so sweet as these
as I feast upon the treasures of majesty's meat and drink
recline back into my thrown as vanity starts to feed
within me now resides the lord that will not be appeased
stain the royal sudary and fold my hands to sleep
hear the trump as justice comes, the alarm of my retreat
his sympathy would not be summoned by the gnashing of my teeth
and so we see the puppet's fate for severing his strings

Darling Delilah

Mine eye runneth down, your love has pierced me through
this bruise upon my crown, I wear with pride for you
my heart and hands are bound, need you any greater proof
I've fallen to the ground, that you know my words are true
I pass through the fire, for you I stand accused
wallow in the mire, and take this world's abuse
oh queen of my desire, for you I play the fool
darling Delilah...all for you!

Eminent Domain (Fatal Misconceptions)

Minding my misfortunes of an impudent life
I bide the endless tortures of merciless time
beyond the sacred border between darkness and light
sightlessly I loiter heaven's labyrinth divine
searched ambrosia's orchards for the nectar of christ
holy oracle is broken and majesty defied
the covenant well spoken lies abandoned and denied
my heart's forced abortion at the taste of this wine
as I sip the fragrant potion, stirrings set inside
forfeit devotion by but one look behind
I choke upon the notion of the first clouded sky
as God wept the oceans spying my demise

Anniversary of the opening of my eyes
reminiscing with the memory of my very first time
"I tried to warn you but you already looked inside,
that there's nothing in the darkness but
what you conceive within your own mind!"

Enfants Terribles

The chasm before the LORD the breadth of my pride
length of my lust, depth of my lies
vengeance consumes the desire of my eyes
and all that man made of dust is fed to the fires
howl to the dawn, Let the nightfall begin
wail through the night, Oh, that it were morning again
cry out in pain, my affliction never ends
for in the days of my life my inflictions never did

The fires surround, where sin abounds
the secret endowed but only abused
the nephilim drown, the death of renowned
massacre of the crowds found without excuse
death dressed in black, morning the mass
the serpent enchants, and what can you do?
hell comes with wrath, as God sends His blast
turning His back, like unto you

Hold him not as guiltless
who takes My name in vain
for I could do as you have done
but can you say the same

Imminent Death

I see the magic that the jesters misuse,
piping for the kingdom of subtlety's abuse
now your seeing things from our point of view,
blinded to the lies and the tightening of the noose
wait, I know this story from here on in,
as your spilt milk gets fed back to you again
as the sons of belial come to be with him
chanting, salvation through sin
all cause there was nothing so familiar
as the taste of imminent death

Liberty and justice for all,
the timbrels play the siren's song
the satan fearing go preaching on,
speaking on the things they know not of
love the money that has made you strong,
forsake the ways that led our fathers wrong
trust in the virtues that have kept you this far,
"Israel here are thy gods!"

Leprosy's Lament

"Unclean, unclean," says the leper to the passers-by
unforgiven, unredeemed, seeking only to die
"I think it meet that you take heed,
to the plague, the snare laid for the blind
for see what sin has conceived, I the diseased, martyr of my pride
my eyes bereaved, I cannot see,
for my corruption before the Master's eyes
severed like yeast, I roam the East, a vagabond of paradise
I know not meat, I cannot drink, for such things no longer satisfy
like with my greed, though I would feed I quench not these appetites
I can but breathe, allowed just to speak of the trespasses of my life
clothed in the mark of the beast, the oppressor is ceased
for the murder of Jesus Christ
I beseech you believe all that you've seen and heard of me testify
for what good could I receive, through my deceit,
seeing that I...am unclean!"

Medicinal Menstruation

Have you no more prescriptions for your magic pills?
despite your constant treatments, lo, I am yet ill!
my symptoms still exist, your prognosis they elude
this swelling still persists, the tumor yet protrudes
is there no antidote known for my terminal disease?
for my thriving infection grows, sensing no relief!
help me, as one in need, and fulfill your sacred promise
and with surgeon’s scalpel sever from me the remainder of my conscience
for is there no experimental operation to sterilize these wretched germs?
oh, let not this putrid plague indwelling, be carried to full term!

Silence the witnesses who oppose my beliefs
preserving my existence in a world they shall never see
for I loathe this heavy consequence for my willful iniquities
so destroy the convicting evidence with your life-saving remedy

Give me anesthesia for the guilt, that the burden not be felt
so let this cancer be killed, and share you in my wealth
let my heirs receive the bill, and the youth pay with their health
that their blood be spilt, and not the secret of my stealth

Innocence you edify, your children bear your genocide
cannibals exemplified, you slay to feed your appetites
amputate miracle of life, sever celestial parasite
and still this murder you justify, by predetermined suicide

Mystery’s Merchandise

Renown falls to defeat, beguiled stumble the wise
and under a yoke of conceit plow the fields of the mire
the seductress entreats, in covert, your desires
an enchantment of dreams, follow fools to the fire

Temptation elates as carnality rants
humbled as slaves, to envy’s command
suffering the rape of Satan’s sleight of hand
for who can escape this embrace or deliver the damned?

Life of labor wrought in lust and false conceptions of sin
as sheep led to slaughter are excited by the scent
shepherded through the terrain, descending the abyss
so man roams the way of death seeking entrance to the pit

In midst a sepulcher of flesh, devoured and entombed
by empty appetite lead and wanting recompense consumed
vanity’s entity restores them to their ruin
seduced by the serenity remembered from the womb

Mystery's Paradigm

Miscarried marriages, grace falls to the grave
victory's carelessness utters endless vows in vain
bliss-blinded arrogance mocks death's jealous rage
avenged upon innocence' expectation born lame
misguided merriment knows but ignorance of shame
neglecting the precedence of sorrows regained
tainted remembrances as fantasies fade
from ill-fated sentences of fortune's cascade
misery's accomplices help justify disdain
asserting their decadence in the chastening of grace
but those that lean toward rottenness fall prey to its decay
so crime does come with consequence, as kindness seldom pays
virtue in astonishment faints upon hypocrisy's whet blade
bowing to omnipotence, where justice ever reigns
reproving errs' incognizance with heavy meted stain
and honoring love's promises found yet to be unpaid
judgment's prophet confidence cries, salvation tarries late
tardy trusted eloquence as chivalry seeks his mate
the gods that teach ill etiquette now stand fast amazed
dreading heaven's recompense for nature's rape of fate

Nephilim (Evil's Epitaph)

Psalms of the fallen
not forsaken, not forgotten
the slain of God's good doctrine
of the blemished and begotten
upon their bellies, always wanton
in their mouths, only mocking
in their hearts, always plotting
against the will of He called Sovereign

No repentance, no remission
no remorse, no redemption
their just sentence for indecision
they chose their course and consequences
no sacrifice, no submission
forfeit lives for things forbidden
took not His hand offered in forgiveness
so with their sins their names omitted

Nightfall on Eden

Before the dawn of day, fading shades of night
heaven and earth embrace at the first rays of light
enduring winter's treason of what nature would forbid
but in this graceful season, eternity permits
warring with the horizon this boundary that they share
man's first kiss of Zion ignites the sea and air
border now is broken, no more could it contain
paradise awoken, and the earth moved out of place
united by the sun, the spark between their lips
known in every tongue what is spoken in their kiss
the spectrum all about them, the promise of their touch
sung in every hymn of their messenger the dove
her tears upon the land, a soothing gentle mist
they take each other's hand, and part with single kiss
weeping for the void that brings their time to an end
knowing well that their joy shall soon be had again
for apart from her is pain, no more can he resist
and as long as day remains, then night cannot exist

Oblivious to Oblivion

Fowls fly south for winter
sun sets and curtain falls for night
all in life with age does whither
glory fades in denial, passing through time
summer be near as garden glory pales
of spring we are heirs, but autumn comes abrupt
trusting in vanity to warrant our affairs
falling victim to the subtlety of life's prenupt'
oblivion's irony upon our neglect
as death is forgotten, each in turn in his stead
idolatry, the works that man's hands erect
built atop the hourglass, "and great was the fall of it!"

A Perfect World (Altogether as the Cry of It)

What is so perfect of a cloudless sky
or the endless expanse above the sea?
Only blue tears of sorrow are seen,
for the glories of heaven held just out of reach.
And where is the God of righteousness
who is to avenge the innocent?
I know no kingdom of equity,
nor vindication of judgment and recompense.
Who hears the prayers of oppression,
or the supplications of the people's plea?
I find no perfection in this predicament,
nor correction in a world of iniquity.
When comes the day of His holiness,
and why does the Lord of mercy yet tarry?
For how long shall man retain his strength
without understanding of eternity?

Am I wounded at your rebuke, says the LORD,
or glorified in your applause?
In my patience is your salvation,
in your oblation grant me pause.
I am God your Father,
and your exceedingly great reward.
Your genesis and exodus
are but some of my galore.
I too am witness to the ritual of
hypocrites, who persecute with rigor;
Who cast down the victuals of innocents
to cause the meek to suffer sires.
So shall I come,
bearing great crowns and red swords
Am I not their God,
or do they fear me without cause?

Silent Night

Silent night awoken, startled by it's dreams
confidence is broken by the visions of my sleep
as thunderous voice has spoken, my pride does prove me weak
for the tale of such promotion is the secret sorrow keeps
I see the bright one bleeding before the mystic of the seas
my soul be still, be calm, if this be truly but a dream
leviathan is sinking in the sands of his conceit
the proud waves still stayed by the border yet unbreached
the heavens suffering injuries, and the earth covered in dust
mourning for their miseries and sorrows yet to come
the moon reflects the seas, filled with the nations' blood
the sun can't bear to see the abominations done
in the day of their prosperity, nobility staggers drunk
the taste of their iniquity still lingers on the tongue
truth is made their mockery with righteousness and love
themselves are made the casualty as treachery turns about

Sirens' Serenade

Olympus bears the winds on high
ruins decay with memory and time
forsaken splendor tumbles nigh
teeters 'pon the praise of adoring eyes
gifts of grace delude the intellect
strokes our pride to utter ignorance
sups of lethe damns divine prefect
and gods do swoon betrayals of insolence
violent love turns as tempest seas
and what magnificent treasures lay buried beneath
meekness made bitter once fondled esteems
as lust covets honor of glory's bequeath
congress of proselytes raid the temples at dusk
that the gods witness not the pillaging of trust
mutiny taints the shrines with unholy blood
and so to reside "where moth and rust doth corrupt"

Vain Oblation

Hear, oh faithful LORD, my supplications to my judge
pity not this fool, but let justice be done
thrust your hand into my side and spill this tainted blood
let your hand avenge you of the wickedness I've done
"oh happy dagger," made merry in maroon
let your swift whisper splatter my blood’s crude
enter in these walls, and search you out for truth
be buried in the dust that I should follow soon
tear down this temple; reprove me of my ways
cease me of my sins, and hide heaven of my name
spread forth this curtain and see I'm altogether vain
rob me of my glory and discover you my shame

I pull the blade close; it tears the skin
the blood begins to flow, my atonement for sin
light of life starts dimming now
I pray you forgive me for this crime somehow
I give my body to you in willing sacrifice
to persuade your forgiveness of an empty life
as flesh and steel collide, oh let me find lost innocence
watch flesh and soul divide, "and the rest is silence!"

Xcaliber (The Two-Edged Sword)

Abandoned way grown over, hopes covered in dust
we search not for our savior, the man of royal blood
adorned in full armor, with foreign crested shield
he lays hold upon the Xcaliber, which no mortal man may wield
whosoever pull this sword, and restore Camelot to Me again
he is Lord above his brethren, whose reign shall never see an end
and all whose eye have seen this fate shall live in perfect rest
for these have seen the prophecy of My victory over death
...Hear the chorus of the singing sword, spoken to my shame
my quest for the riches of nevermore, tokens of the same
see all the wealth of my house's store in a day brought to waste
fearing the day of my reward which comes according to my faith...

Heard you not the word that brought this world to it's knees
knew you not the Lord the ruler of all things
bastards are the sons who mocked him as they pleased
wretched are the ones who see no blasphemy in these
fear upon you in the day that you see through your deceit
if humble are my servants then hear the reward for your conceit
life and death upon these words, be it unto you as you have believed
for if you loved not your brother then what say you of your king

Wages of Sin (No Rest for the Wicked)

What knows a man whether there be any solace in the grave?
Any retreat from sorrow or consoling resort from pain
man always believes in a tomorrow, to be better than his day
yearning for some unseen continent for when he is gone without a trace
to travel a path and direction not known, when he is but a forgotten name
calling a foreign realm home and the land of his pilgrimage strange
man ever dreams beyond the horizon lies a luscious and prosperous graze
a providential paradise afar this desert waste
fantasizing of forever, laboring through endless days
craving the harvest of his curse, savoring not a taste

Unto the dust his soul is sown, reaping only his disgrace
his life bestowed upon the earth, and there it shall remain
the servant toils in the dirt, till heaven should give its rain
and when the hireling is fallen in the mud, he is grateful for his wage
his body feels no hurt, nor his bones any longer ache
hoping for the promise of rebirth, eternity he waits
slumbering in retire, in the bed that he has made
until he be summoned for the trial, then shall he awake
remembering no evil prior, and no evil after to take place
taking with him faith's reward to the resting place of the slaves

Life Without Remedy

The world closes in around me, I sit amongst the worms
the bars of my new housing remind me of the terms
my sentence stated loudly, though lacking the form of words
substantiating soundly the verdict pronounced at birth
the prison of my surroundings, granting seclusion from the earth
for days far beyond counting, the continuum of the curse
the world ever still about me, spinning in the churn
my spirit succumbs to doubting if I am ever to return
fenced in so profoundly, hope seeming to me absurd
the echoes of their shouting reveal the mysteries I've learned
the pleas and constant pouting, none other ear has heard
my heart, enraged, keeps pounding for deliverance from the scourge
my soul eternally confounded, fearing for the freedom which it yearns
realizing there is no rebounding to comfort the mass of my concerns
no matter how astounding the iniquities inferred
within me is no arousing against the boundary of death and dirt

Eyes of the Scarecrow

The world looks so very different in the eyes of the scarecrow
and troubles seem to cease from the hangman’s point-of-view
life seems far and distant dwelling in the shadows
as a pleasant sense of peace suggests a sentimental prelude
but change takes but an instant to reveal all that follows
leaving not the least of the security you once knew
adding adversity to your interests and imparting only sorrow
quieting your prayerful pleas suspended in solitude
trying to justify existence and regain confidence for the morrow
conceding the greatest of life’s things are measured not by multitude
but this carnal fleshly persistence of endless lies are swallowed
ingesting the disease in attempt to fill the hole inside of you
pleading for any who will listen as you beg for the gallows
brought down upon your knees where chaos commonly ensues
fate, more fanciful than fiction, draws from fortune’s tarot
as pleasure often entreats where pain frequently intrudes
dedicated in its mission, fires the flaming arrow
targeting the fiend with yet another fatal wound
knowing no physician skilled beyond joints and marrow
willing to intercede in matters mortals truly swoon
friends forsake their assistance, revealing just how shallow
wishing not to intervene, lest they share in your abuse
seeming to prove there is no deliverance from the depths of death’s pharaoh
and none can be redeemed from this darkness in truth