Listen to Soliloquy by Richard Charles Stevens (Stratosfear Suite)
Listen to Stratosfear by Tangerine Dream
the hallowed truth was rumoured in my eyes
.
there were shadows in the narrows of a panorama charmless
yet still i chose to soldier on regardless
.
still i chose to soldier on regardless
.
even in the deepest heart of darkness
there was light
respite from the shadows
which were narrowing my sight
seemed too much ado to play at mute acolyte
when the hallowed truth was rumoured in my eyes
.
having presumed it irrefutably my time
i resumed to the tune of excusable flight
(regardless)
life had been cruel
although i knew it could be kind
providing i give dues to timely cues to realign
(regardless)
.
nothing left to lose
bemused
refused
then set aside
all hopes were blues
my dreams pale white
and i felt dispossessed delight
my chest was tight
my heart cut loose
a glut of nothing of some use
to soothe a soul of glow refused
and muse the ruin toll presumed
.
even in the deepest heart of darkness
there was light
respite from the shadows
which were narrowing my sight
seemed too much ado to play at mute acolyte
when the hallowed truth was rumoured in my eyes
.
twas only through the never
i responded to death’s open letter
told it i’d been wronged and it should honestly have known me better
racing to delay a fate outrun
for everlong
a swansong sung
for each event i came undone
and even then
from centre spun
i knew the storm forewarned was weathered
had been here before
forewarned a raincloud of displeasure
when wide eyes implored
we could do more to shine together
could all feel more adored
restored the freedom to breathe
applaud the need to believe
we’re on course to be seen
.
seemed obscene to me to cease to be the i esteemed to fly in dream
to die a death with frightful little left of me abiding theme
.
applying heat to dying speech
survived the night alive
released a sigh as life reminded me
.
applying heat to dying speech
survived the night alive
released a sigh as life reminded me
advisedly to breathe
.
to breathe
to breathe
to breathe
.
even in the deepest heart of darkness
there was light
(there was light)
respite from the shadows
which were narrowing my sight
seemed too much ado to play at mute acolyte
when the hallowed truth was rumoured in my eyes
.
there were shadows in the narrows of a panorama charmless
there were shadows in the narrows of a panorama charmless
there were shadows in the narrows of a panorama charmless
yet still i chose to soldier on
still i chose to soldier on
still i chose to soldier on
still i chose to soldier on regardless
.
even in darkness
there were reasons left to breathe
there was air
in each shared bleed
for every breeding pair redeemed
beneath the willow weeping leaned
to glean the gleam of every teardrop
wept in ear shot of the hollow
free to fear not for safekeeping
with a penchant dear for leaping
while each shed tear kept in pendant
felt refreshed
expressed contentment
that ascendency was meant to be again
transcendency had led me to the treasury of zen
.
even in the deepest heart of darkness
there was light
respite from the shadows
which were narrowing my sight
seemed too much ado to play at mute acolyte
when the hallowed truth was rumoured in my eyes
.
too much ado to play mute acolyte
when the hallowed truth bloomed in the widest blue eyes
i felt wild
i felt free
for in kind
i was seen
thus my darkening dreams
set a most darling scene
even in the steep of darkness
harnessed to safe reins
that would never once release
and see the mighty lion slain
.
every time i felt entrapped
it tapped the vein
then tapped again
(tap-tapped the vein)
(then tapped again)
nothing left to lose
appeared the theme i now delighted
for deep down inside
a galvanising flame had reignited
.
blazing through the learnèd eyes of blind faith truth had knighted
nothing left to lose
bemused
refused
then set aside
all hopes were blues
my dreams pale white
and i felt dispossessed delight
my chest was tight
my heart cut loose
my chest was tight
my heart cut loose
my chest was tight
my heart cut loose
heart cut loose
.
a glut of nothing of some use
to soothe a soul of glow refused
and muse the ruin toll presumed
.
(there were)
(there were)
there were shadows in the narrows of a panorama charmless
yet still i chose to soldier on regardless
.
even in darkness
there were reasons left to breathe
there was air
in each shared bleed
for every breeding pair redeemed
beneath the willow weeping leaned
to glean the gleam of every teardrop
wept in ear shot of the hollow
free to fear not for safekeeping
with a penchant dear for leaping
while each shed tear kept in pendant
felt refreshed
expressed contentment
that ascendency was meant to be again
transcendency had led me to the treasury of zen
.
Richard Charles Stevens
Keeper of The Crimson Quill

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“still i chose to soldier on regardless” – that nugget there is a personal favourite line very applicable to me since the days of being once relegated to Christine 🥰
This work is so excellent, it had me pinned against the wall with both hands up. Each meticulously structured section, the timing, the variation in your voice and those words. What a game changer for you. You’re just constantly levelling up! It’s amazing!
In three years, look at how far you’ve come since cautious spoken word to being fully comfortable with your Ribena voice. Be so quietly proud of yourself.
And being seen, the longstanding running theme through your work, to me encapsulates being recognised as an artist and understood as a person. You know I have seen you for years. Years.