New poetry from www.boydbarrett.com
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
we marched behind a sound
which first did barely reach our ears
yet louder whispers through the years
made firm our trodden ground
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
we strode the path of Cain
where at the entrance to the east
we heard the raging of the beast
its victim's mortal pain
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
ascended we the tower
on stairs first built to look ahead
and see the one whose path we tread
to share his fearsome power
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
a people we became
both settled in and set apart
secured with law but not with heart
to make our special name
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
we drew the battle line
and those who said they never heard
the one who called us by his word
we slew and left behind
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
our prophets pulled away
and pointed back at roads unturned
lamenting every bridge we burned
that brought us to this day
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
we hurried on, unfazed
as sounds of battle now decreased
reflecting an uneasy peace
the kind where doubts are raised
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
the battle plan now blurred
we sang of who was in the lead
imagining a mighty steed
rear'd at its rider's word
Each step by bloody, halting step
Each step by bloody, halting step
we finally turned around
and saw the troops down on their knees
before a lamb slain in the trees
and recognized the sound
And ceased our bloody, halting steps
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