Open Poetry #12 |
Bolivar the Barbarian (re-post from #9) |
Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Bolivar the barbarian strutted into town he came to rape and pillage and wear the iron crown astride a dappled war-horse, with whip in meaty hand he expected full submission from people and the land. Bolivar the barbarian roared his name with pride and corralled all the towns-folk within the tiny square there he made his demands and took it in his stride, when mutterings of doom arose from the cowering people there. Bolivar the barbarian took victims by the score and had them cruelly executed to show his mighty power and Bolivar took concubines and made slaves from townsfolk store he sent insane the king, made him beg within the hour. then this poor king, did concede to Bolivar's great demand the people cringed in thoughtfulness and held each other's hand he gave the townsfolk over to do with as Bolivar pleased as they prepared to meet their doom their hearts were barely eased. Each had kith and kin whom were lost to them that day man, woman and child bowed their heads and bent as if to pray then Bolivar commanded the townsfolk to all kneel Bolivar stood and gloated, then branded each one with his seal. a reminder of their fealty that they had sworn that day they had all chosen to live, but to live was to obey Bolivar reminded them this was to be their lot he would accept nothing less, would not tolerate plot. The king he laughed in madness and drool formed on his chin and dribbled down his surcoat, with spittle in reserve his arms and chest hung limp and loose , empty eyes within observing all, one scrawny child vowed he would not serve. disguised among the crowds to the back and to the side came the plot from Darian to ensure Bolivar would die Bolivar the barbarian took Darian's mother for his bride and did not see the child who gave his word, but gave a lie. Darian waited patiently hope's glimmer did he see there within the iron crown was plan for victory Darian called the blacksmith a man with iron thews and bade him forge an instrument to carry out the ruse a glazed, burnished mirror the blacksmith forged anon, Darian's plan burned feverishly, just waiting for the sun. On the first day of summer, when day dawned bright and clear Darian gathered in the square with thinned out crowd and spare Darian chortled gleefully he knew the time was near then with a word the mirror, unclothed set fire to Bolivar's hair Bolivar screamed in anguish and fell down to the ground felled within an instant by melded heat of iron crown Then Darian took the people's praise and then vowed they'd not bow down again the people cheered and claimed him king but Darian would not wear the thing instead he chose a better way became a lowly shepherd lived happier that way. Those of us who refuse to risk and grow get swallowed up by life. Patty Hansen. |
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© Copyright 2001 Lynne Dale - All Rights Reserved | |||
Mother_Earth Senior Member
since 2000-11-20
Posts 13701/2 year Texas & 1/2 year Michigan |
What a good "story". I didn't see it before, so was a great surprise. Hugs, ME |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
A well-woven tale, Ms. Keth |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Kethry dear heart, this is SUPERB, do I love this, well, ....... Of course I do! Bravo Bravi Bravisimi! Absolutely brilliant. You can write, you can tell a wonderful story, you have a natural talent and you're modist. If I didn't love you so much I'd be insane with jealousy, and challenge you to a duel. But you'd win, so that's no good, and I'd be a poor broken soul. (Isn't it a good thing the If's aren't real) Utterly fabulous dear heart Take care love as always Slushy Take back the hope you gave,- I claim Only a memory of the same Robert Browning |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Slushy said it all! Well done little one! |
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