LAMMAS NIGHT - Mercedes Lackey

A waning moon conceals her face

Behind a scudding wind-torn cloud.

(a wind-torn shroud)

She wraps herself in its embrace

As in a tattered cloak.

(a shadow cloak)

The wind is wailing in the trees.

Their limbs are warped and bent and bowed.

(so bleak and cowed)

I stand within my circle now

To deal with what I woke.

(I wake--I see, but not yet free.)

A wanderer of wizard kind

I was, until a month ago

(so well I know)

The headman of this village came

And begged that I should stay.

(so cold and fey)

"For since our wizard died," he said

"And why he died we do not know--

(so long ago!)

We have no one to weave us spells

And keep the Dark at bay."

(the dark, so deep: so cold the sleep)

"His house and books are yours, milady,

If you choose but to remain."

(remembered pain)

His offer was too tempting

To be lightly set aside

(remembered pride)

I'd wearied of my travel, being

Plaything of the sun and rain--

(choose to remain--)

This was the chance I'd hoped for--

And I said that I would bide.

(I hope--I pray--and you must stay)

Perhaps if I had been a man,

And not a maid, perhaps if I

Had been less lonely, less alone,

Or less of magic folk--

(the spell-bound broke)

Whatever weakness was in me,

Or for whatever reason why

(my reason why)

Something slept within that house

That my own presence woke.

(You dream so much--I try to touch)

A half-seen shadow courted me,

Stirred close at hand or by my side.

(to bid you bide)

It left a lover's token--one

Fresh blossom on my plate.

(a fragrant bait)

I woke to danger--knew the young

Magician still to Earth was tied--

(for freedom cried)

And tied to me--and I must act.

Or I might share his fate.

(I need your aid, be not afraid)

I found a spell for banishment--

The pages then turned--and not by me!

(look now and see)

The next spell differed by one word,

A few strokes of a pen.

(and read again)

The first one I had seen before,

The spell to set a spirit free;

(so I will be)

The second let the mage-born dead

Take flesh and live again!

(one spell and then I live again)

Now both these spells were equal

In their risk to body and to soul.

(I shall be whole)

And both these spells demanded

They be cast on Lammas Night.

(the darkest night)

And both these spells of spirit

And of caster took an equal toll,

(task to the soul)

But nowhere is it writ

That either spell is of the Light.

(to live and see and touch, to be)

Can it be wise to risk the anger

Of the Gods in such a task?

(yet I must ask)

Yet who am I to judge of who

Should live and who should die?

(don't let me die--)

Does love or duty call him?

Is his kindness to me all a mask?

(take up the task)

And could I trust his answer

If I dared to ask him "Why?"

(give all your trust--my will [you must])

So now I stand within the circle

I have drawn upon the floor--

(the open door)

I have no further answer if

This spirit's friend or foe

(nor can you know)

Though I have prayed full often, nor

Can I this moment answer if

I'll tell him "Come" or "Go."