the black lullaby

Far away in a desert of sleep stood a little lost boy without any feet. He may have walked and he may have run but the ground beneath him was always numb. I’d heard them say he had no name, he spoke no words and felt no pain. But those who’d seen him would often tell of the way in which he cast his spell. He’d opened their minds to memories of their love and hope and misery. He’d held their hands and touched their eyes and kissed their lips and changed their lives.

And so it came to pass one day that in my sleep I lost my way. I found myself in that strange, strange land the one with all the golden sand. There I saw him, then I knew, all I’d heard was very true. He sat beside me, he spoke no lies, he sang no songs and he made no smiles. Through lips that stayed so very still he pecked the air and made it chilled. As the cold wind drank my blood it all came back like a gushing flood. “Remember” said the silent voice as angels cried and devils rejoiced.

Remember the words you can’t take back, the hurt they caused with your attack. Remember the hearts you broke in vain for when yours breaks it’ll lessen the pain. Remember the lies you needlessly spoke they will help you laugh when your life is a joke. Remember the truths you uttered so strong they will be your salvation when the night seems long. Remember the dead and what they’ve left behind, learn from their deeds in your own time. Remember the craving you felt in your soul and look for the pieces that will make you whole.

Remember the tears that others have shed so that you may have a better life instead. Remember the darkness, remember the light so that you may know what is wrong and right. Remember the glory and drown and its sound but when it’s all over have your feet on the ground. Remember the wisdom of those here before so that you can always tell your friend from your foe. But remember yourself above all the rest for that is what matters at the time of your test. Know your true weakness and your true strength throughout your life in all its length.

Before I knew it I’d found my way, I’d lived to see another day. The boy was gone, he was no more, a faded image along life’s road. “Remember” he’d said in muted speech and so I did as he’d beseeched. The emptiness of life was gone like the final note of an aching song. It wouldn’t be that way again not in sunshine, not in rain. For no matter where your fate is set, you must learn never to forget.

Brandon Ingram