The First Child of the Dead Seed
dreams of a father’s dying breath
and hears in eternal refrain
the scream trapped in his lungs –
Dare you step behind his eyes
even for a moment?
The First Child of the Dead Seed
leads an army of sorrow
down hunger’s bone-picked road
where a mother dances and sings –
Dare you walk in his steps
and dearly hold her hand?
The First Child of the Dead Seed
is sheathed in the clutter of failed armour
defending him from the moment of birth
through years of dire schooling –
Do not dare judge him hard
lest you wear his skin.
Silba of the Shattered Heart
K’alass
(MoI, UK Trade, p.466)