The Song Of The Bluejay

as inky night

in a moonlit shroud

falls on the land of ombra

one word whispered

one word kissed

one passed down to every lip

'bluejay, bluejay'

chant the people of ombra.

upon a time

a same-hued night

fell on the people of ombra

claws of silver

cruel and cold

crushed their hopes in a heartless grip

'bluejay, bluejay'

called the dreams from ombra.

through the hush

a magpie's shriek

shattered the sleep of ombra

the Fox's men

ran through the land

swishing forth the Adder's whip

'bluejay, bluejay'

wept the eyes of ombra.

a woman's tears

fell on his face

when first he came to ombra

hands of white, they

drew him near

the bud of precious life to nip

'bluejay, bluejay'

whispered Death, in ombra.

a tired old man

on his writing desk

in a cobwebbed attic in ombra

had wearied of

the Adder's tricks

a secret smile played on his lips

'bluejay, bluejay'

was traced in ink in ombra.

a band of players

poor and gay

would warm the hearts of ombra

new tunes they brought

and played new games

and picked up children on their hip

'bluejay, bluejay'

sang strolling players in ombra.

hands of white

did soon withdraw

as he lay in pain near ombra

the name she kissed

was no more his

as his brow she stroked with fingertip

'bluejay, bluejay'

renamed was he in ombra.

the cruel Piper's

silver smile

smirked in pleasure in ombra

as children caught

in a flame of fire

struggled in his iron grip

'bluejay, bluejay'

cried the mothers of ombra

startled men

drew back in shock

new hooves were heard in ombra

he wore a mask

of feathers blue

his horse rode on with a jaunty clip

'bluejay, bluejay'

hoped the hearts in ombra.

with binder's knife

and warrior's hands

a hero reborn in ombra

armed with ink

and spell and death

through immortal shield his pen did slip

'bluejay,bluejay'

brought laughter back to ombra.

as inky night

and starlit sky

beckon dreams to ombra

he strokes her cheek

he holds her hand

and shows him a game with orange-pips

'bluejay,bluejay'

shall forever live in ombra.

dedicated to cornelia funke and her beautiful inkworld which i love with all my heart.