SONG TO PAN

SONG TO PAN

Should the raven catch your hair

And seat a king of scarlet

Upon the heart's steep stair

Then, oh, the sights you will see there

A breaking of the crystal

Under a dark green glare.

A dark green glare, from eyes on fire,

From pools of deepest amber-

Circle your castle round with briar,

Still Pan will find your chamber.

Fill it to the brim, don't say when,

Drink your fill and drink again.

Hear the ocean roaring.

Fill it to the brim, don't say when

It's Pan that keeps on pouring.

Walnut hands, the eyes of a bear

He who seeks his sorrows out

May find the lion's share.

With self-same breath He tempts and warns

The fire that keeps the chill at bay

Is the very flame that burns.

The flame that burns, the song that slays,

When you hear what it is saying

Let panic chase us through the maze,

But Pan is only playing.

Fill it to the brim, don't say when

Drink your fill and drink again,

Hear the ocean roaring.

Fill it to the brim, don't say when,

It's pan that keeps on pouring.

Dark watcher with tangled brows

Puts his finger to his lips,

Let's hear no more of vows,

Of promises we'll never keep,

Nor of the secret dream

That slips away as we rise from sleep.

As we rise from sleep,

As we rub our eyes,

To set the salt tears falling,

You cover your ears to drown his cries

Yet Pan just keeps on calling.

By Mark Simos (The Spiral Dance)