I

Anton the Alchemist holding the philosophers stone
led by example, cared for his flock and was left alone

A child of his father
trying to make gold from lead
late at night in his laboratory
reciting rituals from his head

Time mocks him as he seeks out the answer
attacking his mind, becoming a cancer

he never promised anything
but the people came to ask
when their children were sick
or elders had faded to the past
He always tried to help them
they believed his way
until young died
the first week of last May

Anton the alchemist wasn’t a savior
just an observer of natural behavior

All the faithful raged in anger
and he was the first to see
It’s time to find out why he died
somewhere across the sea

II

His tiny ship seemed to sail
right to Tuepol like a nail
piercing his feet and hands
as he longs for his native land

he didn’t have to run
the people would go home
and he’d be left alone again
but he wouldn’t let it die
without finding the why
the words he read had lied and then

He came upon a local
who had read the book of Vocal
greatest friend to the sage
and who’s wisdom raged

It’s truth always proven
But on that day in early May
its spell was weak and losing
the power it once displayed

He didn’t have to run……

III

Barrak was a peaceful land
but only on the surface
when Anton met Sallak he suddenly knew
He had a greater purpose

As dark clouds covered the distance
he knew the city was sick
so he set off through the forest
toward a place called Anderick