"Daughter Of Flames" By Bud Gallant (8/15/07)

shadowed by flames she stands and stares 
as red blood falls like rain 
righteously indignant there's 
no sense of fear or shame 

and if she seems a broken girl 
so fair and fragile still 
white she stands though a stained pearl 
she's ready for the kill 

i watched my sister standing there 
and tasted her resolve 
so strong and weak though never bare 
the earth ceased to revolve 

for this girl i'd burn the world 
and dance while shadows reigned 
for her i would build an eden 
a world that's born unstained 

her gaze intent. i know the pain 
and sense in her a pride 
and i decide to be the bane 
that keeps her foe aside 

where we'll part i can not tell 
and hasten not to know 
for from the start when she first fell 
i wished to take the blow 

and when she fell so easily 
i wished to be her knight 
and protect her from the fallacy 
that she deserved the slight 

a raven maiden bleeding free 
a storm within her eyes 
demure and yet so dangerously 
that she could ever rise 

not a ghost but just a girl 
a daughter of the flames 
a purified yet ashen pearl 
whose tiny form constrains

Little Star

I wrote this poem 08/17/03. It's remained my favorite throughout these years. It is the story of a child who hopes.

My little star
You're my little star
Another bandage for another scar
Little star
Little star
Another prayer said to a god so far

Why do you struggle to be tall
in a world where everything is small

Little star why shine so bright
if you can rest within my light

But still she didn't understand the law
he cut into her hand

Just watched her blood drip to the floor and
thought of flowers like she did before

And how they are the limbs of earth and that
their seeds fall for rebirth

Because she knew the sun was out, and though
she wasn't, promised not to doubt

So her sweet laughter filled the air
and she twirled so beautifully there
With a joy that could never break
With a joy that god could never take

AWAY

AWAY

So far away

My little star
Just a little star
Another mask to hide another scar
Little star
Little star
Bowing at the altar of a devil far

Why do you still pursue
the wish one made upon seeing you

Foolish star do your dreams hold sway
Is there one with whom you'll stay

Or will the end be like the start
with screams and tears to be apart

But still she wouldn't hear the sneers
he yelled into her virgin ears

Just listened then to the sound of birds and
thought upon their cheerful words

Because she knew she too could fly and, though
still grounded, refused to let her dreams all die

So she smiled at the locked door
and imagined places she could soar
With a peace she could always feel
with a peace satan could never steal

AWAY
AWAY

So far away

Little star
Little star
Brace yourself for another scar
Little star
Little star
Look upon the earth so far

Why do you deceive yourself
pretending to be in right health

Star-begotten you can't endure
in this place your end is sure

Her own voice this time she heard
and finally the sorrow stirred

Her faith in herself was so strong that it's sword
was forged so sharp and long

And when she raised that sword to slay the
enemies that wished to have their way

She saw herself in it's cold form and fell prey to
a quick storm

For the face she saw was bleak. so scared, and
hurt and pale and weak

So she fell and deeply cried
that very night her pure soul died
Sadly her own sword had lied
not showing her what was inside

AWAY
AWAY

So far away