~ By
Courtesy of Others ~
The Grey Man
Care to colour me black
Fool, I don’t conform to your limited sight
Would I stab you in the back?
Never even though in darkness you delight
Care to colour me white
Fool, I am not so easy to define
Would I save you from the blight?
Never even though you see me as divine
I am grey
Always in between light and shadow
I do what I must
To allow all to see another tomorrow
Cry deeply to me in your darkest hour
Will I answer you?
Or let the wolves you devour?
I will do, as I must for that is what I do.
In your battles you call to me
Victory’s sweet flavour you desire
But when all is done to be
You may end up face down in the mire
I am grey
Always in between light and shadow
I do what I must
To allow all to see another tomorrow
But fear not those who call to me
For the grey man hears you all
And either I let you in another life be
Or call you to my side in my hall
The only thing I ask in return
Is that you remember the troth
And live your life and learn
Of ways of honour and truth
I am grey
Always in between light and shadow
I do what I must
To allow all to see another tomorrow
In the end I have done, as I must
Returning gift for gift
To those who have given me trust
Heil to those who have travelled the rift
©
Dirk Schmitt, 10th August 2001
AET Australia
(Assembly of Elder Troth)
Image: "Odin - The Northern God of War",
full page wood engraved illustration,
hand color. Published in Harper's Weekly, July 22, 1871.