{"id":614,"date":"2026-10-16T16:00:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T21:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/?p=614"},"modified":"2026-10-15T14:48:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T19:48:21","slug":"all-that-remains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/2026\/10\/16\/all-that-remains\/","title":{"rendered":"All That Remains"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><em>Something a little epic for your day.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Blooms of fire in the night<br \/>\nEcho back the wan daylight<br \/>\nCinder sparks and angry coal<br \/>\nKindling now vengeance toll.<\/p>\n<p>Pass the fire in the night<br \/>\nWatch the days glowing bright<br \/>\nWrath that builds on hollow gains<br \/>\nLeaves a shell: all that remains<\/p>\n<p>Marching feet to a trumpet sound<br \/>\nMarks the foe now run to ground.<br \/>\nFear now flares in every heart,<br \/>\nBut wise the souls who know its art.<\/p>\n<p>Pass the fire in the night<br \/>\nWatch the days glowing bright<br \/>\nWrath that builds on hollow gains<br \/>\nLeaves a shell: all that remains<\/p>\n<p>Foes yet come in dire cloud<br \/>\nVeiled in mist and pyre\u2019s shroud<br \/>\nWatch your fellows one by one<br \/>\nFall there gasping, no fight begun.<\/p>\n<p>Pass the fire in the night<br \/>\nWatch the dusk, how dim the light<br \/>\nWrath that builds on hollow gains<br \/>\nLeaves a shell: all that remains<\/p>\n<p>Yet stalwart heart holds the line<br \/>\nA simple spear and shield he finds.<br \/>\nNo bearer yet can be seen<br \/>\nSo he kneels and wipes them clean.<\/p>\n<p>Pass the fire in the night<br \/>\nWatch alone, wrong or right.<br \/>\nWrath that empties what it can\u2019t chain<br \/>\nLeaves a shell: all that remains<\/p>\n<p>In clouds of darkness the foe descends<br \/>\nYet clouds of light their shadow rends<br \/>\nThen come the Fair in battle long<br \/>\nAnd show the empty wavering throng.<\/p>\n<p>Pass the fire in the night<br \/>\nWatch the days glowing bright<br \/>\nWrath would burn what Hope now gains<br \/>\nWould shell or spirit yet remain?<\/p>\n<p>The fires burn among the foes<br \/>\nNamed to life in shining rows<br \/>\nA spearman still stands his ground<br \/>\nA faithful man on a proving ground.<\/p>\n<p>Pass the fire in the night<br \/>\nWatch the end of ill-cut might.<br \/>\nWrath consumes the bitter plains<br \/>\nYet of stalwart heart what remains?<\/p>\n<p>When vict\u2019ry comes, though dearly bought<br \/>\nThe Fair pause at the spearman\u2019s plot.<br \/>\nThere they raised a standing stone<br \/>\nSo faithful hearts ne\u2019er fight alone.<\/p>\n<p>Pass the fire in the night<br \/>\nSing the song glowing bright.<br \/>\nWrath is gone; the hearth remains<br \/>\nThough dearly won, how bright the blaze!<\/p>\n<p><em>All That Remains<\/em> copyright \u00a9 Heather Strickler 2026 all rights reserved<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Something a little epic for your day. Blooms of fire in the night Echo back the wan daylight Cinder sparks and angry coal Kindling now vengeance toll. Pass the fire in the night Watch the days glowing bright Wrath that builds on hollow gains Leaves a shell: all that remains Marching feet to a trumpet&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/2026\/10\/16\/all-that-remains\/\">Read More <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">All That Remains<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":615,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[14,13],"tags":[28,26,22,12,20,15,11,17,25],"class_list":["post-614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-poetry","category-writing","tag-adventure","tag-duty","tag-grim","tag-hope","tag-mood","tag-oaths","tag-poetry","tag-story","tag-wonder"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/parUcj-9U","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":520,"url":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/2025\/12\/31\/the-watch-at-the-gate\/","url_meta":{"origin":614,"position":0},"title":"The Watch at the Gate","author":"Heather","date":"December 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"A bit of an adventure to close out the year. Vigil fire burning bright against the magic in the night Gates of old have opened wide and rent the veils where they would hide. Under cover of a spell, the Fair come forth with purpose fell. And dare the guards\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Poetry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/category\/writing\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Watch-at-the-Gates.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Watch-at-the-Gates.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Watch-at-the-Gates.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":387,"url":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/2025\/05\/06\/winter-wings\/","url_meta":{"origin":614,"position":1},"title":"Winter Wings","author":"Heather","date":"May 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"An odd one for spring but sometimes something hits me. I hope you enjoy it. Wings of frost settle down to form a silver veil. The raven spreads the starry night over hill and dale. The trees shake off their last sad leaves, winter settles in. And all the wood\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Poetry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/category\/writing\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wings-of-Winter.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wings-of-Winter.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Wings-of-Winter.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":259,"url":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/2024\/09\/09\/the-light-shall-not-fail\/","url_meta":{"origin":614,"position":2},"title":"The Light Shall Not Fail","author":"Heather","date":"September 9, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Something for you because hope is scarce at times, but it is not lost. Candles ever flicker in the grimly glowing gloom A flame flares then gutters, and another shares its doom. Yet somewhere in the darkness another spark prevails. Reminding all its brothers: The light shall not fail. Though\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Poetry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/category\/writing\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/wyrdbard_A_sea_of_candles_under_a_starless_sky_f5b704e6-3a7c-44a6-9f93-56f3be73e0e3.png?fit=1024%2C1024&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/wyrdbard_A_sea_of_candles_under_a_starless_sky_f5b704e6-3a7c-44a6-9f93-56f3be73e0e3.png?fit=1024%2C1024&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/wyrdbard_A_sea_of_candles_under_a_starless_sky_f5b704e6-3a7c-44a6-9f93-56f3be73e0e3.png?fit=1024%2C1024&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/wyrdbard_A_sea_of_candles_under_a_starless_sky_f5b704e6-3a7c-44a6-9f93-56f3be73e0e3.png?fit=1024%2C1024&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":588,"url":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/2026\/09\/21\/hearth-to-hearth\/","url_meta":{"origin":614,"position":3},"title":"Hearth to Hearth","author":"Heather","date":"September 21, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"For those who must go out into dangers and those who keep the hearth fire burning. From hearth to edge and then beyond Carry from the Warden\u2019s song. From dawn to dusk and then to day Though hearth and home ne\u2019er fade away. Though long the night that bitter ends\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Poetry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/category\/writing\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Hearth-to-Hearth.png?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Hearth-to-Hearth.png?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Hearth-to-Hearth.png?fit=600%2C600&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":432,"url":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/2025\/08\/04\/chains-of-light\/","url_meta":{"origin":614,"position":4},"title":"Chains of Light","author":"Heather","date":"August 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Because great troubles also contain great hope. Clash of magic and flash of steel Madness crowned by stubborn will Bright and shining hope confined A hero\u2019s heart and hero\u2019s duty now maligned. Deamon breath by ocean shore Chaining virtue as a power store. Shining silver against the chains Beauty and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Poetry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/category\/writing\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Chains-of-Light.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Chains-of-Light.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Chains-of-Light.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":314,"url":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/2024\/12\/17\/quiet-fire\/","url_meta":{"origin":614,"position":5},"title":"Quiet Fire","author":"Heather","date":"December 17, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"I found the opening stanza of this one in an old poetry notebook. (I have a lot of those.) And decided to finish it out. It may be a bit early in the day for the cozy sleepy mood, but I hope you enjoy it. A crackling hearth, warm and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Poetry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/category\/writing\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Quite-Fire.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Quite-Fire.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Quite-Fire.jpg?fit=600%2C600&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/All-That-Remains.jpg?fit=600%2C600","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/614","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=614"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/614\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":616,"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/614\/revisions\/616"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/615"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=614"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=614"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreaminginplot.com\/MainBlog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}