This poem expresses Iroh's thoughts when he was forced to turn against Zuko. At that moment, everything changed.
Once
Once I held you in my arms
As I wiped your tears away
Once we faced a cold world alone
As we journeyed for a brighter day
We were orphans, you and I
Abandoned by our home and kin
You were branded by a father's hate
I was hiding from each bloody sin
I followed you into exile
To live and die by your side
I loved you like a father should
You were my only source of pride
I did all I could to make you smile
And lived to only lift your heart
I followed you, no matter what
Even when you tried to make us part
You almost seemed yourself again
You smiled with a carefree air
I looked forward to the future
All the tea-filled joy we'd share
But now, I do not understand
How you have fallen so very far
You took the bloody hand of hate
Instead of trusting who you really are
You forced my hand, we traded blows
Like a dagger in my very core
Have you forgotten all my lessons?
What you once were fighting for?
In that moment, you have a choice
And could have been born again anew
But you choose the path of darkness
Things you swore you'd never do
Once I called you my foster child
And loved you like a son
But you have strayed beyond the pale
And enemies, we did become
An-Five more poems to go