Sand Dusky Poem by Hm. Nes

I have worn this cross in battle
I have born it, blood in hand
Through the raging storms and idle
Days of playing in the sand
Along beaches filled with children
Singing gaily to the winds
Yet, the cross, hung at my shoulders
Hidden from my closest friends

Well-armed soldiers, fierce in conflict
Could not tear it from my heart
Storm the castle, scale the tower
Do their worst with darkest art
But I would never tell
No, I'd never tell

I'd rather fall in breathless wander
All alone with none to hold
Than to stand before their judgment
Hoping somehow to be bold
Brave enough to tell the story
All that mattered, raw but true
Starring me in tales so gory
None but kids would dare to view
Kids who would never tell
They could never tell

Would to God that someone could have
Known this cross was at my neck
Had the strength to wrest it from me
Somehow, save me from the wreck
That now defines all of my life and
Redefines all life before,
Before the cross came into view and
Brought the whole world to my door