Elegy for Tomas
by Madelyne Ech'lir

A pack of wolves devoured your mummy
Dishonest bandits killed your sister
Your dad was fed to a ferocious humgi
A siren stabbed brother when he kissed her

Orphaned and alone in the cold night
Ribs show through your crisp white shirt
Bare feet showing signs of frostbite
Gaunt, pinched cheeks scuffed with dirt

Don't be nervous, there's no need to squirm
It's not like membership is based on a test
Across the white rug to the desk, grab a form
Fill out what you remember, skip over the rest

An angel waits patiently for you to arrive
Put your fate in Lady Servelan's hands
At the Loving Hearts Orphanage in Ashtan
In return she only asks for your pineal glands

Now let's find the other children and play
Forestals will have fun with stuffed animal toys
There's a doll for Jenny and a soldier for Ray
And brass drums for the bard girls and boys

Playtime is over, come lay down for a nap
Don't think of your past, or begin to weep
Take off your uniform jacket, shoes, and cap
And let Lady Servelan sing you to sleep

Freshly awakened it's time to come learn
Can't join the Loving Hearts and be a lackey
In each child the quest for knowledge must burn
Now listen as the Lady reads "Revelations of Glaaki"

An angel waits patiently for you to arrive
Put your fate in Lady Servelan's hands
At the Loving Hearts Orphanage in Ashtan
In return she only asks for your pineal glands

From the kitchen wafts the sickeningly sweet scent
Of chocolate and caramel, and sugar spun candy
Can't say what's for dinner but here's a lil hint
No other table has a meal for children more dandy

After lessons wash up your hands and face
In the dining hall join the other tykes
Take a seat at the table draped in lace
And eat confections until satiation strikes

Back up to the bunkroom with you, little man
It's "lights out" now in the Loving Hearts house
Listen to the soft lullaby from Lady Servelan
And try to remain quite as a wee little mouse

An angel waits patiently for you to arrive
Put your fate in Lady Servelan's hands
At the Loving Hearts Orphanage in Ashtan
In return she only asks for your pineal glands


Penned by my hand on the 13th of Scarlatan, in the year 476 AF.