What was once freely given has been retracted, 

For sincerity was deemed a weakness in the eyes of a mistake. 

It will be given no more, unless one comes who only desires the same, 

One who will fight for it, loyalty and interest, nothing more, 

No other demands, no other expectations, no weighing of others’ judgments. 

What I gave before was wasted, and no amount of time can make its loss valuable. 

It is theirs no more, and they do not care that it is so, 

Vainly believing it can be found in the loveless alleyways of twisted souls. 

I judge not possessions, seek not advantages, care not for crass concerns, 

For time is an enemy, crouching hidden, waiting to rob us all. 

Only loyalty and interest matter, all that’s ever mattered, all that ever will, 

But, for too many that is not enough, jaded eyes pretending not to notice gold,

And the one who only courts wrecked souls, brings nothing real, courts nothing real, 

Shadows of umbra, empty lines, to whom their heart is sold. 

I do not sell myself and will not buy another, not for any price, 

And there is no puzzle to match pieces to, only kindred hearts. 

I want not to be your father, nor seek another mother, 

Equal beings striving together, no pedestal for queen nor king. 

If that loyalty never comes, interest never shows itself, 

Then, so be it, for nothing else is worth the time spent in pretending. 

And the one who took and lit loyalty ablaze in spite was never worth me, 

Never worth the attention nor the despair, wooed only by worthless wealth. 

There is no love to find there, in gilded alleyways, where sordid lives do covet. 

For my faith was greater than hers, though it has no name nor savior, 

And she had none, and never will, crucified herself for pity’s sake, no lover. 

So come to me whomever you be who desires loyalty earnestly, 

For that is all I have to give, and to you who are true, I give it freely.