another letter, and the nights grow longer
the sprawling desert, a barren hell
wherein the desolation and the longing each take their place
the die has been cast — resolute
the striking of the gavel — irrevocable

dry dirt, a blazing sun
a colorless building, it calls to none
but I saw in it the final problem
the colorless building called to none save me

I knew you were there, I felt your memory
the sand-enshrouded keep that holds you in
then came the bitter feeling, and oh, how I laughed!
I laughed with utter dejection,
for how strange it is to be so close and yet so inexorably,
impossibly far.

how tragic to know that they were taken
that you couldn't save them
that you were powerless to hold your grasp
that an invisible force could so deftly destroy
all you once held dear.

I still believe in you.
and though you will not live to see the fruits of your creation,
to weep with joy and bear witness to the flight,
I believe in you, and I press on
for you.