coward's son

raised my rifle

swung for stars

stole some falcon's wings

yeah

my city wears a rusty heart

but my oh my

it's beating still

age-old tales i whisper slowly

once were colored juvenile

youth

lay down your axe and hold me

i'll confess my wicked smile

afraid of being terrified

fall like feathers

rest like stones

i adore you none

for i am not some kingless throne

i am not a coward's son

dare i chance it

dare i gamble?

shiver now

my fractious skin

fortune-free and empty-handed

i say a riskless life ain't worth a thing

useless as a wedding ring

i will claim my history

and i will lose my battles not

and i'll take what is meant for me

beneath each wild onslaught

i will live with what i've got