A face of stone with weary gaze so drawn,
Still he stirs his tincture and looks on.
The many hours here have lined his face
that which distinguish but do not erase
the pain that he still holds in memories past.
Regrets and fears like shadows lurk and last.
He does not let the many see his pain
Nor the mortal thoughts that still may stain
Those tainted days of darkness in his heart.
His own behavior still tears him apart.

And yet his loyalty so many question
or why this bitterness is his obsession.
Not answers shall he give with lips so tight.
But let instead those wishing to, to spite
his very presence which some do not trust.
But even with his darkness, lightness must.
For shadow does define his figure slight
and black and cold his eyes like deepest night.
But steady gaze which penetrates reveals
the palest wisps which penitence does seal.

There is much more to what the man does hide
behind sarcastic tones with with he chides.
So fools would think him villain yet he tries
to accomplish what is best in his dark eyes.
And so perhaps he fails and good not mentioned
in the scheme of all his good intentions.
And verily the man is still a soul
who yearns to find himself a worthy whole.
So think not on his badness but look in
A haunted man still trapped in his own sin.

Not vile he is but misused for his pains
Who does his all to make it right again.
And so abused, he cross may often be,
But wears a mask so not a soul can see
Into his sacred heart where lies the truth,
The part of him so bruised in tender youth.
For pain begot the pain in him and so
the bottle is the only place to go
To soothe the weary heart of misplaced grief.
To someday find elixir of relief.

This man in ebon robes with silent eyes
Who sees through false agendas and cold lies
Has reason to behave the way he does,
Although his torments are not for just cause.
He fears, and fear is still his greatest sorrow.
For what was yesterday may come tomorrow.
And still he does his work without retreating,
And knows perhaps fate holds a deadly meeting.
A man who longs for chances not to fail
becomes the snake who swallows up his tail.