The Torment of the Paradox

This poem is somewhat representative of my character, who will be a monk of some kind. I have yet to work out the details.

He treasures each life he takes,
Mourning the destruction of
That which is sacred.
He commits great sins
In the name of the greater good,
Hoping that the deaths of few
Bring joy to many.
He takes life so that he may give it.
Such is the paradox.
His feet are sore from his travels,
His body is tired,
But his soul even more so.
He raises his bloodstained hands
And screams to the heavens,
Feeling the pain of every death
He has wrought.
Such is the torment.
He continues to fight,
Hoping, praying, waiting for the day
When it is no longer necessary,
When the peace he so fervently seeks
Is finally known.
Then he may wash the blood
From his weary hands
And the sins from his blackened soul.

I don't know if I should applaud you for wirting an awesome poem, or if I should be envious that you managed to describe the balance Alo walks as a paladin better than I ever could.

I agree with Alo. That is dead on for how I viewed Alo.

I'm exited to hear more about the character, Constantine.

You mentioned something about being a monk, were you thinking more eastern or western?

Well, think something like The Last Samurai. I'd start out as a westerner, but throughout my travels I'd adopt the philosophy. I'd visit the eastern cultures though, which would add to it.

As always, I absolutely love your writing, Constantine. I hope you will post more at some point. (:

If you liked "the last samurai", try reading Shogun by james clavell(sp?). The Last... seems to have "borrowed" heavily from Shogun. It is set earlier though, at the start of the tokugawa period.

I cant wait to sit down and talk at the next event you're at.