Beneath the Midnight Moon

Locked away beneath the midnight moon
Locked away amongst the wishes and dreams
The whispers and prayers
The "what if"s and "if only"s
Locked away with the faded dreams and the paths not taken

Locked away beneath the midnight moon
Locked between the glistening water
And the slumbering winds
Between the humming breezes
And the gentle ripples

So go down to the lake
When the clock strikes twelve
And the moon is drunk with Israel's milk

You'll not find it with your waking eyes
Nor will your dreams lay out a clear and stone-paved path
But look with a drunken, half asleep stare
A stumbling footfall will not lead you astray

What will you see?
What will you hear?
When you gaze into that impossible mirror
Will you be pleased with those secrets?
Will you be pleased with that which is hidden?
Will you be haunted?
Blessed?
Will you live your life more fully?
Or will it all seem suddenly hollow?

Will you hear whispers of sin?
Will you see into your most distant dreams?
Will you see faces and homes?
Will you see objects and titles?

And when it shows your visage
When you stare deeply into your own eyes
What will you find?
What will be your sin?
What will be your virtue?
And what of your desires?
Will they be selfish or righteous?
How glorious will they appear beneath that midnight moon?

I have been there
I have consulted that moonlit hour
As an oracle consults the stars
I have seen my gaping holes
I have seen the ash and ice
I have seen the fire and blood
I know my pride and sloth
I know my passion and honesty

So look and listen
But if you see me
Standing at the water's edge
I will be staring at a cross
Staring at a nation
But most of all,
Staring at her

Her visage
Her words
Her presence
Her memories
All are locked away

Locked away beneath the midnight moon
Locked away amongst the wishes and dreams
The whispers and prayers
The "what if"s and "if only"s
Locked away with the faded dreams and the paths not taken