Introduction.

A dirge is a somber song expressing mourning or grief, such as would be appropriate for performance at a funeral, yet it is all I seem to write as my heart is plagued with pain and heart ache, even in my moments of momentary smiles and happiness.

My name is Thomas and I wish to share with you the tales, dirges and laments I have gathered from my travels. May their words bring forth tears upon our eyes as we remember those that are dead but not forgotten.

1. Lost Hope

Again, my shattered heart awaits embrace, As teary eyes, in search of thy sweet smile, Turn desperate into glaring night. Thy face My whitened fingers seek to touch, but vile, Enclosing darkness haunts my spirit still, And I find nothing there to calm my mind - No valiant love my vacant breast to fill, To fight the sorrow keeping me confined. Forgive me that I wished thou couldst release My soul, imprisoned in a realm of cold. Forgive me that I longed but for a piece Of light, for warmth, for someone I might hold. Allow a blade upon my pallid wrist And let me bleed myself to ice and mist.

2. The Black Smith's Lament

In the darkness of his smithy You can see a flickering light. Between the dust and coal he is sitting, This man of fire and might.

His face is dark with coal dust, But on his cheeks you see Two rivers made of moonlight, Rivers flowing endlessly.

For a year has past, A whole year has gone Still his heart and soul won’t heal. Since a single kiss from a elven girl Entered in his heart of steel.

His hammer and his anvil Has been silent in this year. Never born were from the fire Any armor, any spear.

He has tried hard to forget her, He has tried with all his might. Yet it was like asking a flower To forget the sun and light.

For ten years has passed, Ten whole years has gone Still his rest he cannot find. He has lost his heart to an elven maid And he soon will lose his mind.

In the darkness of his smithy He decides to end his strife. His beloved, called by Queprur, Has now left her earthly life.

By the time of the next sunrise, He is laying by the door, His face is calm and peaceful Not a tear he will cry more.

For he’s gone with her, He has found her now. In the warmth of Avá’s smile. Now their hearts will stay in eternal bliss. In the Dream that has no end.

3. Parting

I sigh, and breath these tender moments in Because I know that these will be your last And so they are important. How your skin Is pale; your bones are weak, I know. Your past Weighs heavy on your heart and wrinkled brow, But cast away the sorrow and regret; They are not worthy of your noble face. Just let them go, and come back into now. There is no reason left to not forget, For you are far too close to Tymora's grace.

I watch your eyes stare upward to the sky, Your body thin, your hair in tufts of gray. You’re now too weak to walk, and softly die Within your bed. You wait while I just pray. I trace the purple rivers through your hands - The hands that held me as a tiny child - Because they are the constellations of An age I follow. I don’t understand Quite yet the change to come, still too beguiled By every memory, and my love.

I’m frightened now for what I do not know. Where will you go? What does “forever” mean? You have so many things still left to show Me, stories of the places that you’ve seen. I clasp your hand because I know your smile. I tremble through my heart, and start to cry. I see you look at me to let me know, But I am scared. I need a little while More, please. I don’t know how to say goodbye. Your eyes close...please don’t go.

4. From Death Into Dream

The fallen of battle Those struck by disease Nothing to nothing From death into dream

In dark dwarven caverns In bright elven trees Nothing to nothing From death into dream

On Her black sky-throne The dead all she sees Nothing to nothing From death into dream

There in that high place The judgement is said Nothing to nothing From death into dream

For there the gone will learn The fate of the dead Nothing to nothing From death into dream

To nightmare or dream The fallen is lead. Nothing to nothing From death into dream.

Thus spoke the Frost Queen "And so it shall be. Nothing to nothing From death into dream."

"I shall claim this right For eternity." Nothing to nothing From death into dream

So it ever has been. And so it shall be. From nothing, to nothing. From death, into dream

5. Queen Of The Dead

An human man and his grieving wife are sitting side by side. She is sobbing in agony, He holds her while she cries.

"O husband, our only son has been taken by the Queen of the Dead! Her sefish thoughts and actions are cruel. Is there nothing can be done or said?"

"My mourning wife, the silent Goddess has taken him for her own. We shall see him when it's our turn, We'd best leave well 'nough alone."

"Nay! I shan't!" She cried aloud and promptly rose to her feet. She has stolen my child, I'll take him back! This Goddess I will meet..."

With this she took a dagger sharp, and cleaved Her wrists quite clean. Her final words were quiet and calm... "I want my Child, O Queen..."

The husband knew, deep down inside his Wife would never return. He eyed the dagger, and then his wife; his love for her still burned.

And with a cut of his own two wrists, the husband joined his wife. They were finally happy, all as one; Though they mourned the end of their lives

6. A Summerday Morning

Bright leaves In the summerday Dapple down the morning light. Fresh light On the summerleaves Ripples in the morning breeze. Soft breeze Over summertrees Supples all the morning leaves.

Bright leaves Are folding, curling. Gentle golden skin too tender for the summer’s sun. Fresh light Is fading, paling. Deep pools of pain are eyes in darkened glades. Soft breeze Goes cutting, whirling. A snare of hair that wraps about taut throat and fingers pale.

Down falls the tree, Up flies the ricau, And the rain has come and gone And winter’s here.

Dead leaves In the winterlight Dapple down the early snow. Hard light On the falling flakes Cripples up the river’s flow. Cold breeze Through the fallen trees Grapples my throat . . . I can sing no more