crystallyn.com

I've actually gotten to handle (with gloves) the Huntingdon Library copy. They're huge books, by the way -- much too imposing for curling up in your comfy chair for a good read, even if you're fluent in Latin. The British Library copy's been online for a while and one other, as I remember. Still, it's cool!

The Crystal King

By
Thomas J. Segel

Sailing on a sea of sound, living in the air,
The Captain turns the ship around to show us that he cares.
The waters of this love so true show crystal-sparkling blue,
And all the world holds hope in hand and turns their eyes toward you.
We have waited so long for you to come and take your ship
And now we are all climbing on to join you on your trip.
And even though the skies be red on early morning seas,
With perilous times ahead and our journey meant to be,
We give you complete command, for we love you and the sea.
So then we trim the sails and head toward the Northern Lights,
And those at home grow smaller as we sail then out of sight.

Our eyes then turn toward the sea and toward the Southern Cross,
While we catch the trade winds and follow the albatross.
The Captain then stands over the ship, a mighty man is he,
And all the crew stands speechless, not a dry eye can be seen.
“I love you,” bellowed out a voice that traveled over the sea,
“and need every one of you, e’er is meant to be.”
And his voice did tremble as he stretched forth his hand,
He said, “You have chosen to follow me into this magic land.
I do not know where our sails will lead or what mysteries will unfold,
And I have never promised you riches, silks or gold.
But the things that we will share sailing this universe,
Will belong to you and me for better or for worse.”
We then unfurled the sails and laid our course toward the sky,
Without a single one of us asking the captain why.
Sailing through the causeway on our journey through the stars,
Adrift we found the vagabonds, all shipwrecked, cut and scarred.
We quickly pulled them aboard, our brethren of the sea,
And made them part of the crew; our Captain was very pleased.
“Our lives you have given us,” said these giants of the North,
“At your service we remain, no matter what your course.”

The winds blew cold over our souls; I was lashed to the wheel.
The Captain came out to relieve me, for he had felt the cutting chill.
“Go below, my friend,” said the Captain with a smile.
The warmth that penetrated my heart would last me all the while.
The crew did dance below the deck, though we were tumbled and tossed,
But we weathered the mighty storm and not a single soul was lost.
We worked hard mending our ship from torn sail and busted boom;
Our hands were busy stitching sails and cleaning every room.
When all the work was done, more merriment was made,
The rum was passed, the songs were sung, as we danced and played.

‘Twas early in the morn, I heard the watchman’s cry,
“Land ahead! I see it clear !” A welcome sight, I sighed.
“Look off the starboard bow! Tall peaks do fill the air!”
And many a sore eye were glued to the northern fjords out there.
With the suddenness of a heart beat, the northern winds did squall,
Then a wave came over the bow, thirty cubits tall!
Our ship then came to rest inside a sheltered cove.
The crew was so happy, some from the mast they dove
And swam ashore to climb the rock and feel the solid ground.
They kissed the shore and joined their hearts
In the most beautiful of sound:

“Thank you, Oden; Thank you, Thor, from our journey you have brought
Us to the shore of our birth and the land of our thought.
You did pluck us from the sea, all shipwrecked, cut and scarred,
And delivered us to our home, the journey perilous and hard.
But now we find we love you and your brethren we remain.
When it is time to leave, we will sail with you again.

A landing party went ashore, following these giants of the north;
They embraced us well and filled our stores, so we could stay our course.
They then showered us with gifts for bringing their kinsmen home,
And they took us into their hearts, for we never felt alone.
The Captain then summoned us all; it was the calling of the sea.
And he said, “All hands on board, e’er this journey is meant to be.”
He then surveyed the crew, both southern men and north,
We all stood arm-in-arm, each man knowing his worth.
He said with a pounding heart, “A fine crew you have become!
And with all of you under my command, there is nothing that cannot be done.
We have all felt the peril of the sea,
And you have all stood fast and brave, and stole the heart of me.
So, on we will sail, together, with more mysteries to unfold;
And we will share the treasure, be it death, riches or gold.”

Again we trimmed the sails and followed the Northern Lights,
Bidding farewell to our new-found friends as we sailed then out of sight.
The Northern Lights grew brighter as we followed our course,
And though the days be darkened, we could feel the force…
Of something much stronger than we have ever felt before,
And it somehow frightened me as we drew nigh unto the door.
The ice looked like cathedrals—spires shooting in the air—
And there was a dark, ominous hole between two of them out there!

The Captain steered our ship toward that darkened hole,
And the crew was frightened and holding on for their very souls.
As we went through the abyss, a bright light began to glow,
And the crew felt at ease, for the light did bless our souls.
The lights were dancing off the ice with a diamond glitter-glow:
The whole crew was wide-eyed, for such things we had never known.
As we stood in awe at the wondrous, crystal shimmering lights brightly shone,
The Captain then called to the crew saying, “These riches you can never own.
So fill your eyes and fill your hearts with the beauty you behold.”

In silence then we did sail for the next day or two,
And all of us looked younger, for in the lights we were renewed.
The crew gathered together as we fell upon our knees,
And thanked the Lord for life given to us in our deepest need.
Our eyes were filled with wonder in this world of the unknown;
Sparkling shards were everywhere, some from the sky were grown.
The sparkling lights were shimmering as young men we became,
Each of us with the strength of ten so young and strong we remain.

The Captain said, Behold, an Ice Palace lay ahead!”
We sailed toward it in silence, not a single word was said.
“It is from this place the Northern Lights do shine…”
And though we all felt drunkened, no one had touched the wine.
The sound of angels came from the palace bold,
And we all listened as we heard the story told:

“ ‘Tis the Palace of the Crystal King, The keeper of the Lights.
We are all here to serve him well, and have watched your journey’s flight
From the day that you set sail from your southern land,
And though you never noticed it, we have led you by the hand.
So do come in and join us here!
Our King desires your presence near.
So come now and present yourselves, starting with your Captain, brave and true,
And let him be paraded in, carried by the rest of you.
All of your needs will be met, and even your wants so true,
So come and join us now; the King is awaiting you!”

Our ship came to rest at a crystal dock,
Crystal sleds then pulled us to the Palace rock
Where they were tied and we went in
To present ourselves before the King
At the doors we did stand and step back in awe,
And once again we could hear the palace call.
The tall doors did slowly open, and music came pouring out—
A sound so pure it made us want to jump and shout!
We composed ourselves and lined up for parade;
Inside the door a throne was set to carry our Captain brave.
We paraded in through the halls
Of sparkling shards and shimmering walls.
We passed then through two more large doors into the chamber of the lights:
This is the place where all is well and it never has been night!

As we gazed at crystals growing up through the ground,
With each of them shimmering and making the most beautiful sound.
And though the stones were singing, from each was a story told
Of our journey from the start—stories perilous and bold:
In each one were images of each portion of our trip;
They showed us all of the crew as well as the Captain and the ship.

The chamber of the Lights was so large we could not see the other side.
As we carried our Captain down the crystal walk, our hearts were full of pride!
The shimmering glitter-glow was sparkling around,
Filling our ears and filling our hearts was the most beautiful of shimmering sound
Of the story stones and the singing walls—
And all of this contained within the shimmering chamber hall.

The crystal walk was lined with crystal story stones
Leading up to the cathedral-like chair—the likes of which we have never known.
We came to a stop before the steps to the chair and let our Captain down;
We then all stood in awe as we gathered around.
Our Captain bold then stood up and gazed upon the chair;
An angel’s voice called to him saying, “Climb up and be seated there.”
Our Captain slowly climbed the steps to this majestic throne,
And as he sat down upon it, the shimmering lights were brightly shown!

A sound so beautiful did fill the air as an angel choir began to sing,
They raised their voices in unison singing, “Behold The Crystal King!
The Crystal King is here!
We have waited so long to have him near.
It was time for you to come—
Now all the world will pound the drum.
The Crystal King is here;
The world will see it clear!
His love is felt throughout the world; now the time has come
The rising of the Son.
The Crystal King is here
All the world will see it clear!
The Crystal King is here!
And it could only be you
With your heart so brave and true—
It could only be you!”

The angels then did bow down before the throne in adoration
After which he was lifted up in complete exaltation.
As the angels lifted our Captain brave,
We realized then he was our King and our allegiance gave.
As we bowed down together, both Southern men and North, We could feel the love of our new-found King, and we could feel his worth.
As we looked up to see our King,
A bright light was shining behind his head in the shape of rings,
The glory that we only then did see
Was almost far too much with me.
For my heart did fill with love,
Which did flow to me from up above.
And all of the crew did feel the same
As we began to sing his name.

“Behold, the Crystal King! Our hearts are now filled with love
You have sent to us from above.
“Behold, the Crystal King! The world will be a better place
Since you have come to take your place.
“Behold, the Crystal King! “Behold, the Crystal King!”

The Captain then came down to greet us and said, “I love everyone of you.”
Each of you may decide what you want to do.
You may remain here with me, or go back to your home so true.
If you remain here with me, you will never grow old.
If you decide to leave, you may take diamonds, gems and gold.

I was the only one who decided to leave that day,
So the angels brought me and the ship home all the way.
The Captain gave me the title, and many chests of gems and gold:
Someone had to leave so this story could be told.
As for the rest of the crew,
They were led into a garden true
With fruit on every tree,
And animals tame to you and me.
As for our Captain bold, his love spread from there throughout all lands….
For he is the Crystal King, and still he leads me by the hand!

Thomas James Segel
200 N. McClelland St. #16
Santa Maria, Ca. 93454
(805) 614-4233