City of the Universe

Beauty that births brains
Author of a thousand gains
At her merciless feet hundreds toil in vain
Hopes and dreams at her altar slain

In her is where most maidens bleed
Where young men practice amoral dreams
Astray in thousands does she lead
Her glass is filled with blood to the rim

Many fight wars to see her face
Spend sleepless nights to walk through her gates
Her older daughters masters of grace
Being caught in snares not knowing their fate

Her sons have drunk of power
Her young daughters have dined with Kings
Oh!! City of a douzen lights
Why does darkness dwell every day and night?

I sought the world's wisdom
So I tried her path
She thought me worthy of her kingdom
Ages have passed and she's stayed kind to me

Proud, too proud, head held up high
How I long that light shines on you
What mother lets her offspring perish
Like you do?

~RC