Helm's Deep

Helm's Deep 4/1/2010
The warrior marches stride by stride
With valiant soldiers side by side.
He sees a host ten thousand strong
And knows his time will not be long.
He draws his sword and hears the ring,
Familiar as the bite and sting
Of time and war that burn within
And on the wrinkles of his kin.

Is this the final march of men?
Is there hope now as there was then?
Back when swords were young and bright,
And vict'ry ended every fight.
Now women hide and children wail
And men glide forth like ships that sail
From havens gray, ne'er to return.
But still there eyes do seem to burn
With light from some forgotten fire,
Staring back at death and ire.
There is hope when all is gone,
And there is dark before the dawn.