The Other Side of the Water

Lo, what limbless trees in a calm, warm summer’s breeze
Straight and sorrowful spires
Standing as they smolder, skeletons of choking soldiers
Fallen to the fire
On the other side of the water

What splintered and reaching hands are their roots emerging from the ash
Their bodies half in their graves
Who is guarding their ghosts? Are they angels or demons or both?
How will we know who’s been saved
On the other side of the water?

The kingfisher cries, he chuckles and rises and falls
His call echoes

The soil is seared, its moisture has disappeared
Cracked, crumbled to dust
The kingfisher cries again, he chuckles and rises again
Rises as he knows he must

On the other side of the water, on the other side of the water
I can still hear their drums
On the other side of the water, on the other side
That’s where I come from