Burden

By Jack Flynn

Smoke rising from smoldering remains
The ashes of my ancestors
Their gifts within me
Their curses upon me
And so I live

I carry the weight of centuries on my shoulders
And yet my back is straight
Unbowed
My crown sparkling in the morning sun
And so I walk

Tears
Salty trails upon my cheeks
Make no difference
Change not my fate
Nor the burden that I carry within my shattered heart
And so I continue

Onward I move
The knowledge of eons past
Unknown but not forgotten
In the infinite darkness of my soul
As I stride ever forward
Into endless tomorrows