Because you are here, and he is gone
a life cut short, a light withdrawn.
You cried your tales in silence loud,
wove storms from sorrow, fierce and proud.
You cast him in a cruel disguise,
a villain framed by careful lies.
Denied him voice, denied him peace,
you bound his truth and gave no lease.
You claimed he ruled with iron will,
so cold, controlling, sharp and still.
Yet all the while, his heart was kind
you mocked the love he left behind.
But worse than what your falsehoods did
were those who helped the truth stay hid.
They fanned the flames, they struck the spark,
and fed the fire that burned him dark.
They did not act to soothe his pain,
but chose instead to wound, to stain.
And now with ash upon their hands,
they speak his name no soul withstands.
Do they still cling to lies you spun?
Do they believe the harm was done?
The ones who wished for his last breath
do they not bear a share of death?
How tragic are the minds that feed
on tales that serve a bitter need.
They never searched, they never knew
just echoed all you said as true.
“Two sides,” the wise men often speak,
“Two truths when hearts and bodies break.”
But your crowd chose the easy tale
and let their judgment tip the scale.
You clearly were not the victim all along.
You breathe; he’s gone too soon, too near.
And with him went the love he gave,
now lost beneath the weight of blame.
Let history not be written blind,
nor justice drown in tears.
Let those who cheered your hollow cries
Fall silent now, exposed by lies.
For he, he melted, soft and slow,
from hands he only sought to know.
And now your story fades, undone,
exposed beneath the dying sun.
So tell me now, you keepers proud,
who cheered her lies and spoke so loud
do you not fear the turning round,
when truth returns without a sound?
And you who helped to spread the fire,
who dressed in rage, who climbed her pyre
do you not fear the day you’ll learn
that every flame is bound to burn?
The truth needs time, but it does not fade
it waits in silence, calm, unafraid.
And when it speaks, it won’t accuse
just shine a light no lie can use.
—The Wounded Fighter