DEFEND THE NEW DAY . Striding outward from the darkness Did the mage-born traveler come With no rushing sound of fanfare Nor any roll of tight-skinned drum. . As the late-night stars unfolded So too did the tale he told And as I listened and responded Deeply struck the chilling cold: . From the darkness all alone, friend Had the traveler shielded self With the aid of but one other Who lives near the cloud's home shelf. . So we learn of other wanderers As we pass down through the years Thus we learn of others' troubles And we face yet other fears. . Outside, the darkness gathers While within we hoard the light Every step must be completed Ere we dare unveil our Sight. . It is now we must ingather All the strength that we may hold For the future rushes on us And we can't be less than bold. . Soon shall we hear the trump of challenge From the towers darkling gray It is then that we must answer So defending the new day....