Death came a stalking

In the realm of the heart which served as our guide

For vanities sake we cheated and lied

And all of the signs that lighted our way

Now darkened and silent had lead us astray

In our haste to proclaim that all must belong

We abandoned our will to see right from wrong

So we searched to the west, we searched to the east

Yet ever within did we search there the least

Now between every beat in a darkening hush

Each step of retreat in a frightening rush

And doubts every treason reflected in tears

Did overlay reason with maddening fear

Here Death came a stalking, unheeded, unsought

And sold us the wares we had already bought

So we pelted headlong into welcoming arms

Whose offered embrace was enticingly warm

We took all the things Death offered in spades

And with them adorned our newly dug graves

Of the angels that scry and mark every sin

No stroke may belie nor ever forfend

The promise averred yet never attained

In souls so conferred with indelible stain