O’ precious neighbor
Though we live worlds apart
We are of one soul
One mind and of one body
Our stories end the same way
~
~~ Dominic DiFrancesco ~~
O’ precious neighbor
Though we live worlds apart
We are of one soul
One mind and of one body
Our stories end the same way
~
~~ Dominic DiFrancesco ~~
The blood curdling scream from the dungeon below,
Made John pray to God for the hangman’s gallows.
This soldier of God stripped of vestments so pure,
Now nameless and faceless a test he was sure.
~
I’ve done what was asked by king, country and Pope
In exchange for a promise to Heaven elope.
If I fall in battle to those savages in the east,
To sling, bow and arrow or some other horrid beast.
~
Instead I’m betrayed by the kinsman I protect;
By cowards and fools those insignificant specks.,
Hiding behind crown whilst I lay on this rack,
Fingers and toes broke while they flail on my back.
~
These charges of heresy are baseless and false,
I’ll deny to my death, to my last beating pulse.
Phillip IV King of motherland France,
Cooked up this scheme devious to embolden his stance.
~
Our riches and land to be his at all costs,
No matter the lives of the Templar that are lost.
Castle and fortress captured by the crown,
Confiscated before Pope Clement could resound.
~
This murderous thief will be judged before God,
Without royal finements, naked and unshod.
Surely he’ll be banished to Hades for his crimes,
Whilst I’ll be looking down on his torment for all times.
~
Justice will be served though draw and quarter is my fate,
I long for the Lord at Saint Peter’s pearly gate.
For the righteous will receive promised Heaven’s just due,
Whilst river of fire awaits souls of evil to be threw.
~
Soon my dear comrades in paradise I will join,
Those of you who’ve gone before by the heathen on the coin.
We’ll reap our sweet vengeance on this coward of the throne,
He’ll burn in Hell, consumed by fire, for eternity alone.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Led by a despot
Innocent blood stains the streets
Cries for help ignored
Are the lives lost all for naught
Genocide begs a response
~
If not us then who
Each passing day brings more death
More graves to be dug
More mothers weeping their loss
The regime must abdicate
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
I do not pretend, to know the truth,
Anymore than you…or the sun…or the moon,
Proving nothing short of ignorance otherwise.
~
What I do know, is that death is inevitable;
Whether life be a second, a minute or decades,
Of this I am certain.
~
Just as I am certain of my origin;
Beyond progeny…beyond paternity,
My essence existed before that of this earthly vessel,
And will certainly continue beyond it’s worldly demise,
Our human science has assured.
~
I am, however steeped in uncertainty,
Uncertain of what lay in wait after this finite adventure.
~
Will I be swallowed by consuming blackness,
Drifting endlessly…disjointedly into nothingness?
~
Will I be welcomed at Heaven’s pearled gates,
Greeted with open arms into a paradise?
~
Maybe Hell hath set it’s sights on my mortal soul,
Repaying me for the sinful life I’ve led?
~
Or will my soul join with others
To live once again,
In the vessel of another of the newly-born?
~
These all, are questions of faith,
Your faith…my faith,
Questions for which I have no answers.
~
After a lifetime of curious inquiry,
I hold no greater insight into the afterlife,
Than were so endowed in me at my birth.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Consumed by treasure
Riches are not wealth alone
Like the love of gold
Love of family enriches
Living on after we’re gone
~~ D. R. DiFrancesco ~~