The Long Way Round

Time always turning, spinning round,

Just like a carousel.

This prison changes by time's beat,

Within time's living hell.

…

The Reaper stalks his prisoners here,

Skulls pile up outside.

The stars, they age, as time passes,

Eternal is the sky.

…

Her picture, ever fading, hangs,

Companion, silent, gone.

And so the game is played once more,

As infinity drags on.

…

And always there's a wall of diamond,

Shining crystal clear.

Reflection of the Reaper's cowl,

Reflection of his fear.

…

How many die at diamond's wall?

How many reach their end?

How many learn the final truth,

Of what will long portend?

…

How many skulls make up this land,

How many prisoners dead?

How many wished to end it all?

How many conquered dread?

…

The diamond slowly chips away,

As eternity stands still.

The slowest story ever told,

As the wall gives way to will.

…

But finally, the story ends,

The prisoner, free at last.

Eternity's first second has,

Finally been passed.

…

And so the prisoner he steps free,

Onto barren desert ground.

Galifrey, at last he's home,

Has gone the long way round.

A/N

I actually had a few extra stanzas here, covering the last few minutes of Heaven Sent, but I ended up cutting them, as I just couldn't get them to feel right. And let's face it, it's Heaven Sent. I can only try to do even a portion of that episode justice and likely fail in the attempt. :)