Released: April 6, 2015
Video: Various
Audio: Varúð by Sigur Rós
Streaming link: [Removed at OP's request]
So this is my twelfth completed video. It was originally supposed to be my submission for Anime Weekend Atlanta's Masters video contest, but after recent and severe problems in my personal life as well as my deepening depression, I did not want to sit on this video for such a long amount of time. Enjoy!
Also this was the first creative collaboration I've done with my childhood friend, Nate Lee. I asked him to write a small poem for the beginning of the video, and it ended up becoming much bigger than that. You can read his full poem right below.
Icarus (I Dared) written by Nate Lee
I dared
Not content to suffer my father’s fate
Not satisfied with a life spent in wait
I looked to the sky for escape, for release
Seeking adventure above the moment’s peace
On wings of wax and feather, I took flight
Heart pounding with excitement, fear, and delight
Briefly I recalled the warning I was told
That to challenge nature, for a man was too bold
Still I learned
Onward and upward with wings unfurled
Bravely exploring the uncharted world
Challenging the limits that were set for a man
I looked down at the world as only gods can
Then, in that freedom that no other had known
I claimed the clouds, the very sky as my own
But even as far as I had come to rise
I saw greater heights when I lifted my eyes
Still I dared
When others dare not dream to come so far
I lost myself reaching out for a star
In the cool of the pure, uplifting night air
I forgot my grave warning and abandoned all care
I dared nature, creation, gods above and below
I dared all who would dare say where I could not go
And in daring the moon, it cowered away
Only to reveal the breaking of day
Helios set upon me in silent rage
To usher me back to my earthly cage
Still I dared
I turned my back to the light of the sun
Not yet finished with my brazen fun
But then a sinking in my heart I felt
As the wax of my wings started to melt
The new day declared that I would not remain
That the clouds and the sky were not my domain
I flapped harder and tried, but tumbled and fell
A descent from the heavens down into hell
Still I dared
The words of warning flooded into my ears
Returning with all of my forgotten fears
Having dared so greatly beyond mans’ reach
There was no aim for aid to beseech
The feathers flew apart, sealing my doom
While I glimpsed down at my watery tomb
And even though I was falling so fast
I fought each moment, up to my last
Some say it was foolish to even try
That I was crazed to think I could fly
And while most may only remember how I fared
A few will yet recall my name and know
I dared
