The Watcher

Warriors, kings, and beggars they came,

every desperate word

hanging from their grasping lips in

fear-drenched speech choked and slurred.

A wish for a crown, or army,

or foolish fleeting love -

burned away in mortality,

as he watched from above.

But few knew, and fewer did care

who granted such wishes.

August and audacious was he,

and they, avarice corpses,

far too eager for destiny

to grasp their vain choices.

With flecks of green in blackened smoke,

lightning cutting the sky,

<p style="text-align:center;">salt and water and gloom falling,

<p style="text-align:center;">he rose to meet their eyes.

<p style="text-align:center;">Kingmaker, wealthbringer, was he;

<p style="text-align:center;">lovematcher, skinchanger,

<p style="text-align:center;">dreambringer, foeslayer - the

<p style="text-align:center;">great and dreadful giver.

<p style="text-align:center;">Yet none save his maker knew him truly -

<p style="text-align:center;">for he was Shenron the forgotten,

<p style="text-align:center;">the titleless and the thankless,

<p style="text-align:center;">who, to humanity and

<p style="text-align:center;">all their innumerous

<p style="text-align:center;">thirsts and hungers, could

<p style="text-align:center;">do naught but watch.