Poem: Into the Land of Heroes | Wagner, Das Reingold: Vorspiel

INTO THE LAND OF HEROES AND FRIENDS

By Dominique Johnson

I rise with you,
As you do in me.
I am shedding my skins,
To unfold you

Sitting on the throne of the slain
Light about your pavilion, 
Brooding deep with three piercing eyes 
Whisper at this hour the things your two eyes have seen.

I saw the well in a deep going
Where you hid it
In the age of your sacrifice. 
Time was your Father,
And you ours.

Before these long sagas 
When the great Tree was nought, the ice was nought
The madnesses were asleep
Til the worlds sprang and beget sons,
We were alone in the midst of the void.

Now we roam in form, in blood and bone
Bear-shirted and wolf-skinned
Howling about our journe
Searching thro' ragged skies and darkened heavens.

First came the crafts,
We prospered here and there. 
Great friends separated on their paths,
Then came the wars in full martial ecstasy.

The drink was good
But now we lay to rest
Coming out of flesh,
Into the land of heroes and friends.