kingdom: intro

welcome.
welcome, fine guests, to my dark kingdom--
my evil empire (lake of fire)
walls of dire inky black
black more vibrant than any night sky
ever wished to lack
black with purpose
black with memory
black that knows my soul
as the river knows the barren peaks
whose purity it stole.

yet look no more! agape, aghast
upon these hell-washed bricks--
no sum of wide-eyed moments passed
could ever buy the fix--
instead
set sail from under the shadow
cast by time's decrepit machine
let wonder's winds and wisdom's waves
propel this boat of dreams
to a land (that seems so) far away
to a city lit up like the day
by fireworks in constant play
a place so full of joy, (they say)
thunderstorms know to stay at bay
and the gods grant the gardens eternal may.