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Open Poetry #37
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A Knight's Farewell
| Open Poetry #37 |
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A Knight's Farewell |
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CastleGuard Senior Member
since 2003-04-30
Posts 760Alberta, Canada |
A Knight looks down a hill, from where once a mighty oak welcomed travellers to rest in its cooling shade; the hill now barren and desolate, both a silent witness and a victim, a precursor to a monument of death. The Knight descends a rocky trail into a valley, where broken backs labor in the fields, and a boy’s hopeful cast returns but an empty hook. There, an indifferent overseer lounges in a shade of a parchment umbrella, gleefully sipping red wine from the blood of the hard-tilled soil. Grey castle in the distance, magnificent, gleaming, its spires reach toward the sun amidst plumes of jubilant cries unrestrained; and at the castle gate sentinels stern and astute unwavering determine visitors’ fate — there the Knight seeks an audience with the King: “I offer a Shield of Honor, a Sword of Justice, a Lance of Truth, and a Cloak of Compassion” — proclaims the Knight, unequivocal. But no words ever uttered have brought a greater sneer: “We’ve no need for such a service, you ancient, misguided knight! Remove your form from our gate and forever be gone from our sight!” “So it is too late...”, murmurs he; so easily allegiance swayed by the hearts of men, for they have been blinded by the glitter of uncommon stones and now spellbound dance to the clinking chant of cascading gold, oblivious to the putrid stench rising from the castle moat, to the barren hills in the distance, to the boy returning home without a catch, to the fields dusty and stripped of honor, where bleached bones cry no more. And high in a gleaming tower the King casts his eyes upward and presses his palms against the sun - not in supplication - but in a will of command to all living and lifeless alike, driven by twining ego and greed. Far on a distant crimson horizon the Knight glances back — Then his silhouette slowly fades away beckoning a Knight’s farewell — And the castle stands; a grey monument, ominous as a waiting tomb... CG |
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Rainbowdust Member
since 2002-12-05
Posts 320Sydney, Australia |
What a poignant tale of an ancient battle that is now, perhaps, more important than ever. |
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CastleGuard Senior Member
since 2003-04-30
Posts 760Alberta, Canada |
Thank you, Rainbowdust. Not much has changed since the feudal days, only the size and geography. Sadly, I too, am one of those inside the castle... CG |
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