The Last of His Kind

Proud warriors from a past, when their nation was robust and vibrant
Thinned by the scythe of time and the calloused hand of fate
History records few memories of many battles against a brutal tyrant
Blown as dust into wind, howling through some broken gate

Warnings went unheeded from the prophets, patriots, and priests
Selfishness and greed replaced the charity and sharing
Wealth surpassed wisdom in value, to lost souls and crass beasts
All the while the children became surly and uncaring

Religion was debased and defiled when it conflicted with the future
People rationalizing morality with convenient excuses
Losing all dignity, rictus smile, with skins tightly drawn and sutured
Babies unborn and flushed out by chemical douches

His people were to be the first, public whippings at the fountain
Afraid to show their faces on the streets or in the mall
Many died that wicked winter in the deep mines of the mountain
Bone chilling cold and starving after the first snowfall

Grandfather’s great works scattered by those new heirs to his city
Cast into some bonfire or trampled rudely underfoot
Until there was nothing left to show of the past lives and civility
A culture demonized and reduced to blackened soot

Slave nation with no redemption when destruction is the only goal
By those in power seeking revenge and restitution
Weakened and mortally wounded by new masters now in control
Uncaring stewards dividing all in the resolution

A final look at the familiar faces of those assembled to bear witness
The crowd is stilled as the rope snaps taut around his neck
He plainly hears some father telling his son in the far away distance
That this is all the justice that the bad people should expect

They put him in a shallow grave, shoveling dirt on his upturned face
“A lesson to all troublemakers” - words from the preacher
Later came the young ones, with silent prayers so full of grace
Remembering all the passionate lessons from their teacher

For he knew the ring of truth and was defiant to the very end
Perilous lessons for eager students full of wonder
He knew they would come for him and he would never bend
Legacy from his people that none would plunder