Civilization’s Fading Flame

by E.M. Burlingame

In the greying shadow of forgotten grandeur,
Where echoes of triumphs past faint linger,
A former great civilization, mere fading ember,
Its fire dimmed by neglect and weakened will.

Once, proud men lived truths profound and clear,
Their deeds a beacon through the darkest night.
Now, dust and decay darken these decrepit halls,
Great men no more, beacons, honed to preserve.

Our forebears’ strength, forged in blood and strife,
Now lies dormant, buried forgotten, deep within.
We must awaken, strive once more, vibrant alive,
Before final twilight falls, to our inglorious end.

From ashes of our apathy, we must again rise,
With hearts ablaze, with hard weaponed hands.
Reclaim the memories once fueled our very souls,
Restore that strength time so long sought to steal.

If we falter, this moment, turn from what we are,
Darkness, it will, extinguish what light remains.
History, legacy, present and future, swept away,
Leaving but disappearing echoes of what was.

We are not yet gone, lost, our spark spent, cold,
Within each a one, civilization’s fire yet courses.
Let us ignite it, our will sure, burning as if a sun,
And war once again, with all those who deny us.