The Lighthouse

They built him on the hillside, facing out to sea
His eyes glowed red to light the route
To harbour’s calm safety
In his hand he held a blade, upraised to serve and save
A beacon, hero, brought  them home
The honest and the brave
He served the fishers and the folk, who gave him not a name
And ten times ten the winters passed 
Until his sword took flame
Until he walked the naked land, until he took his due
The metal man who lit them home
Sent them to Hades too

©jj 2019