Author's Note: Well, isn't this a cheery little piece? Not. This is the first time I've posted straight-up poetry on this site, though I do tend to write a lot of poems in my spare time. Actually, technically, these are song lyrics - I do have a provisional rhythm in my head, and I could definitely sing it if pressed to do so. Maybe one day I'll do a recording to post on the great wide Web. In the meantime, enjoy this angsty little piece bemoaning Dean's lot in life and the weight that's landed on him as the Righteous Man and Sam's brother.

Warnings: Kind of dark, but nothing too heinous. Tiny implications of Destiel.

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural, that is the property of the mighty Kripkeeper. I just enjoy writing feeble poetic tributes to his work.

A.N.2: I know my poetry leaves a certain something to be desired, but I don't think it's too dreadful, so please be gentle. That said, reviews are always welcome and will be treasured.

A.N.3: I know, I know. I have a hundred other things I should be posting. I just needed to get this out of my head, and since it was written anyway, I figured I'd toss it out here and see what it lures in.

~SPN~SPN~SPN~SPN~SPN~

The crossroads lies before you now

You've left the straight road far behind

And the task that you've been fated for

Hangs dark and heavy in your mind

You've tried to make your loved ones proud

And do the right thing, all your life

Only finding Hell's eternal fires and a demon's knife.

~o~

It all used to seem so simple

Just salt and burn the spirit's bones

A few hours passed in a local bar

Then you're on the road again, alone

Now the sky itself is falling down

And they're counting on you to fight

But how can you know which twisting path is right?

~o~

They look to you for guidance

It's in you they place their hope

But their faith and trust is a bitter pill

When you're at the end of a worn rope

And they speak of milk and honey

But it's blood and ashes that you taste

And you won't pray for Heaven's help

When they're the ones who lay to waste.

~o~

Just a Kansas boy without a home or girl

Your mother's ghost still trailing you

Your daddy taught you how to shoot to kill

But he never told you what to do

When the foe you face is in your soul

Carved there by Fate's cruel hand

How can you destroy something you don't understand?

~o~

The scars of Hell still burn red-hot

Carved deep in flesh and soul

Though the body's healed, the mind still bleeds

Where all that torture took its toll

And your daddy's face still haunts you

Cause you know he never broke at all

Was it weakness or inhumanity that kept him standin' tall?

~o~

They look to you for guidance

It's in you they place their hope

But their faith and trust is a bitter pill

When you're at the end of a worn rope

And they speak of milk and honey

But it's blood and ashes that you taste

And you won't pray for Heaven's help

When they're the ones who lay to waste.

~o~

There's an angel watching over you

And he swears he'll fight to save your life

But you know that you're not worth the cost

Or the shame, the Fall, the bitter strife

You've already sunk as low as you can go

You can't drag him down with you

You know you're going back to Hell, can't damn your angel too!

~o~

They can't see past the mask you wear

They believe you when you claim you're 'fine'

If they only knew the pain you suffer through

And the way you're screaming inside your mind

But you know you can't show weakness

'Cause you're their last source of hope

You can't admit you're sliding off of sanity's sheer slope.

~o~

They look to you for guidance

It's in you they place their hope

But their faith and trust is a bitter pill

When you're at the end of a worn rope

And they speak of milk and honey

But it's blood and ashes that you taste

And you won't pray for Heaven's help

When they're the ones who lay to waste.

~o~

The first order you were ever given

Was to keep your baby brother safe

How can you carry out that task

When your foe won't even show his face?

Everybody's saying something different

Can't tell the half-truths from the lies

And all the good in life just seems to fade and die...

~o~

Now you're staring down the path of fate

And it seems the end's at last in sight

But the road to get there's broken

And you've still got this one last fight

The Devil's shadow's drawing near

And now the fire's growing cold

As you can feel the sands of time slip through your hold.

~o~

They look to you for guidance

It's in you they place their hope

But their faith and trust is a bitter pill

When you're at the end of a worn rope

And they speak of milk and honey

But it's blood and ashes that you taste

And you won't pray for Heaven's help

When they're the ones who lay to waste.

~o~

How can you face your father's friend

When every breath you draw's untrue?

How can you meet your brother's eyes

When you know you've failed him too?

When no matter how much pain they deal

Or the words that they might say

You know that when the end comes they'll never turn away-

~o~

And you feel their gaze upon you

And you know the weight it holds

They're waiting for their orders now

They'll believe what they are told

And the whole damn world is crushing you

'Cause no one else will make this choice

And the fire sears in your throat and steals your voice...

~o~

They look to you for guidance

It's in you they place their hope

But their faith and trust is a bitter pill

When you're at the end of a worn rope

And they speak of milk and honey

But it's blood and ashes that you taste

And you won't pray for Heaven's help

When they're the ones who lay to waste.