A Night in Toledo

beneath a crescent moon a caliph holds his people back in chains

from freedom’s flowing words, the fear a thought paid with blood and pain

behind a foot of stone he calls the legions out into the street

oppress the common man a finger lays a shadow at their feet

the timid turn away from voices which are seen but never heard

emotions redefined expressions face replacing every word

a group of secrecy has disappeared to stand before a king

requesting resolution from the man who plays them by a string

    now you have seen it all

    our lives are backs against a wall

        * i know i’ve chosen before

          absolve the blood from my hands

          release my conscience from guilt

          i bathe my soul in the sand**

                carves the bed of slaves

                a bed of sand is now a grave

another sun arises sanctifies consistence of the ground

the man who makes a tyrant, steps in line revitalize the crown

confused by past illusions expectations rise with their distrust

and time has always proven capable of turning men to dust

    within the heart begins

    the scripted pattern of revenge

**grinds the bones of all

unprepared to walk and never fall