On the Dark Waters

On the dark waters of Tuonela Sailed a ship hewn out of bone Clambering against the current Swiftly sailing the black waters No water gushed around its fore No trail left behind its aft No oars there were to be seen No sail hoisted on its mast Who did sail that boat of bone Steer the silent ship of death? As it flew and dove and made its way upstream? Waiting at the dark headwaters Were a people sullen, silent Baying for that ship to take their dead downstream A ship of bone rose from the river Called the dead aboard its deck Through the fiery gates of life It took its silent passengers The black waters of that river Turned to blood, bubbled and boiled As the boat of bone was blazing Dead, dry veins ran red with life Who did sail that boat of bone Steer the silent ship of death? As it flew and dove and made its way upstream? Waiting at the dark headwaters Were a people sullen, silent Baying for that ship to take their dead downstream Into a dark bend of the river Were cast the nameless unborn On top of a barren outcrop Naked bodies of the elders The dead were squinting their eyes As they once more saw their shadow They were born to a life of tears In the light of a forgotten sun Swiftly on the sable waters Sailed back the boat of bone To the dark waters of Tuonela And the people woke astounded To the dawn of their new life Tuonela's dark water Saw the day once more a-breaking Tuonela's dark water Knew the night would be descending