Litany of Sorrow

In tattered stacks I sought my way, through dusty tomes of lore

To trace the steps of yesterday, reflections of a time afore

Where apparitions haunt the mist and tarry for a while

To sadly rue the curs'd path of follies artful guile

A shadowed figure paused paying heed to my regard

And from the silent mien I collected my reward

Oh how the heart in hopeless grip doth dwell upon the fear

Reflected in those empty eyes afar and yet so near

They told of tales aplenty, grim in ways unmatched

Of fated days to come in distant memories past

Of portents and of omens, of misgivings dour repast

In ancient times afore those held in futures grasp

There I marked the warning in somber tides of woe

There I gained in mourning the tears of sorrow left unsown

With heavy heart and troubled mind I went upon my way

From tattered stacks and dusty tomes to seek the light of day

With weary steps I trod the paths so many trod before

Of follies dark and artful guile from curs'd days of yore