The Warden's Respite
The part of me that stands guard all day finally gets to clock off. One small ritual at the end of the watch, a smoky rum cocktail from the tavern bar, and for a few minutes nobody needs protecting.
The watch is over, the sun is low
Another battle, another blow
The armor's heavy, the spirit's frayed
Another debt has been repaid
The world outside can scream and burn
It's time to take a quiet turn
No grand design, no master plan
Just one small rite for a tired man
And I will light the fire, let the sweet smoke rise
A single, holy moment for these weary eyes
This is the Warden's Respite, smoky, sweet, and slow
A quiet little harbor where the broken galleons go
It's the taste of the battle, and the whisper of the peace
A single, perfect minute where the goddamn sirens cease
Pour the Old Guard, dark and deep
For all the promises I keep
Add the battle, bitter-sweet
For every single, damn defeat
A drop of gold, a sweet surrender
For a heart that's still surprisingly tender
Just a quiet prayer in a crystal glass
This too shall pass, this too shall pass
And I will light the fire, let the sweet smoke rise
A single, holy moment for these weary eyes
This is the Warden's Respite, smoky, sweet, and slow
A quiet little harbor where the broken galleons go
It's the taste of the battle, and the whisper of the peace
A single, perfect minute where the goddamn sirens cease
It's not a potion, not a cure
It's not a promise to endure
It's just a nod to the man at the gate
Who stands his watch, and seals my fate
It's just a way to finally say
"You've done enough work for today."
And I will light the fire, let the sweet smoke rise
A single, holy moment for these weary eyes
This is the Warden's Respite, smoky, sweet, and slow
A quiet little harbor where the broken galleons go
It's the taste of the battle, and the whisper of the peace
A single, perfect minute where the goddamn sirens cease
The sirens cease...
A moment's peace...
Just a single, perfect minute...
...for me