Lament of a Rider
1. The Rider’s Journey
Far and long I walked and wandered,
Over rolling hills and plains and mountains,
Through woods and misty meadows,
Along the flowing streams and rivers.
Far and long I walked and pondered,
Of the shining sun and stars and skies,
Of trees and grass and nature’s wonders,
Where rivers begin and where they end.
Far and long I walked and wondered,
Of distant dreams and cloudy thoughts,
Of things that were and things that be,
And things that will never come to pass.
2. The Rider’s Deeds
Far and wide I rode my steed,
With spear in hand and helm and hauberk,
Over dewy grass in hasty gallop,
Through fields of golden wheat and corn.
Far and wide I rode and conquered,
Lived through clashing swords in battle,
Where the deathly screams grow silent,
And I hear the echoes of my fathers.
Far and wide I rode and traveled,
Singing songs of hope and love and bravery,
To the ears of any who would listen,
And to the ears of those I loved.
3. The Rider’s Life
Far and near I have lived and longed,
I have seen people come and go and pass,
People close and dear to me in heart,
And some that made no lasting mark.
Far and near I have lived and breathed,
I have known the smell of soil and rain and flowers,
And I have known the taste of a woman’s lips,
And the sun’s warmth upon my skin.
Far and near I have lived and lingered,
Hidden in someone else’s heart and memory,
Where my spirit will pass like tears in rain,
Until that memory is gone and faded.
- This is an original poem written by Waelden.
