The Cryptics

when ancient history is painfully read
in come the cryptics with sin in their heads
trying in vain to restore the old sheen
that's been ripped to shreds by the faces they've been

warriors battled with nothing but words
intelligence settles for what could be heard
nothing could hasten or dampen their fall
now livith the cryptics backs up to the wall

and they can't save face or advantage
by griping of tactics they've used for themselves
they can't find faith in the tragic
the verdict is written
now please go to hell

when all these days are long over and done
who will cry for the cryptics when their race is run
sniping and gloating in their cryptic way
steeped in the bitterness that emptiness made

(2008 db michel)