To Read the First Part of this Story, “The Road of Lily Read,” click here. 

 

The softest night, the silent stars, in speckled radiance

Cast down their sparkly, twinkled hues upon her tender glance

Her hand upon the door post, a flower in her hair

She gazes off into the night with a determined stare

She feels a void within her, a pain she can’t forget

Her life is growing thinner, with each passing regret

Her mind is plagued with memories of all that she has lost

And now she must complete her task no matter what the cost

Before she walks toward the gate, and out onto the street

She takes the flower from her hair, and lays it at her feet

–

Oh come to the banks of the river

Where the heroes go to bleed

Oh come to the banks of the river

Come down to the Lily Reed

–

Her visage veiled in shadows, sunk deep within her hood

Her figure cloaked in darkness, a shadow where she stood

A carriage in the distance approaches in great haste

She steps into the roadway, for there’s no time to waste

The judge in his corruption is coming down the way

And by her lover’s dying breath, she swore she’d make him pay

–

Oh come to the banks of the river

Where she fulfills her creed

Oh come to the banks of the river

Come down to the Lily Reed

–

The driver doesn’t see her, she steps deftly aside

She grips the passing carriage, and leaps to catch a ride

She peers into the carriage, a lantern swings within

Illuminates the sleeping judge, like truth unearthing sin

She slips into the carriage, In silence takes a seat

It’s time for her to wake the judge, her vengeance to complete

–

Oh come to the banks of the river

If you wish to hear him plead

Oh come to the banks of the river

Come down to the banks of the river

Oh come to the Lily Reed

–

“Retribution, like a knife, brings justice’ sweet refrain

I’ve come, oh Judge, to take your life, to watch it swiftly drain.”

With startled choke, the man awakes, he eyes her with contempt

“You’re not prepared, my dear sweet child, for that which you attempt.

I know you girl, and what you’ve lost. I’ve taken all you love.

And here you are to take my life, but it won’t be enough.

What makes you think my little death is all these people need?

There’s always men like me to kill along the Lily Reed.”

–

Oh come to the banks of river

Where villains go to bleed

Oh come to the banks of the river

Come down to the banks of the river

Oh come to the Lily Reed

–

Her blow is swift, her blade like lightning lashes through

The dagger lances his thick throat, and plunges deep and true

She pulls herself close to the judge, and drives him to her hilt

“I’ve come, oh Judge, to damn your soul, for all of your black guilt.”

Her bitter tears fall down her face, and mingle with the blood

The judge’s body trembles so, while drowning in the flood.

Her voice now shakes with grief and hate, addressing dying man

“There’s always men like you to kill. I’ll kill them if I can.”

–

Oh come to the banks of the river,

Oh come to the banks of the river,

Come down to the banks of the river,

Come down to the Lily Reed

–

The carriage rolls into the night, she sees it disappear

 She wipes her blade upon the grass, and sheds one final tear

She plucks a lily from the bank, and then she finds the need

To whisper slow, her lover’s name upon the Lily Reed

~j.d.schofield