The Far-Distant Horn

[A collaboration by Joey Spadafora and Amira Makansi]

A rose in the desert, the rain on the sea
I can’t hear your name anymore
The sound in my ears is drowned by the screams
The voices, the far-distant horn

Hold me by the heel and dip me in the Styx
I died ten years ago, as the Muse predicts

No chinks in my armor, no terror within
My armies are ready to die
There’s nothing to lose and there’s glory to win
But I can’t leave my memories aside

Take me by the heel and dip me in the Styx
I died ten years ago, as the Muse predicts

Oh Mother, where are you? Sister, don’t leave me!
This stab in my ankle sounds death.
There’s mist in my eyes, my body is breaking
My plea is released on a breath

Take me by the heel and dip me in the Styx
I died ten years ago, so the Muse predicts

Between my white teeth lies a coin for my boat fare
I pull out my ticket to hell
I open my mouth and my last dying prayer
Redemption, it grows to a swell

They said I would perish alongside the Styx
my deeds are written as the Muse so predicts

So, take me by the heel and dip me in the Styx
drowned and gone ten years ago, as the muse predict