The Poem

    Arriving at last

    It has stumbled across the harsh

    Stones， the black marshes¹.

    True to itself， by what craft

    And strength it has， it has come

    As a sole survivor² returns

    From the steep pass.

    Carved on memory's staff

    The legend is nearly decipherable.

    It has lived up to its vows³

    If it endures

    The journey through the dark places

    To bear witness，

    Casting its message

    In a sort of singing.