Commander Clarke's Heart

Silhouettes ceased the day of pain. They stooped over twisted remains Of burnt bodies and of charred skin Over Grounders, arrows, knives and kin. And tears soaked the blackened soil As Princess searched for abandoned Royal. And a heart beat on pounded ribs. Her own, perspired from the orders spit Out to do what had to be done. To murder three hundred, to save a clan. To murder three hundred, to save a clan. She shuffled out into the fragrant air, Perfumed of blood, smoke, hibiscus tears. And onto her knees she dropped and cried The men were not hers, yet life she'd denied. Timidly Thought echoed 'All was Fair' For Death was a gift, raw and rare. Yet Heart wept Regret and Regret For what of their Children? And the pilfered pairs? But as Spirits of men floated away, Unseen by the Sky Princess, victor that day, Chanted were prayers of sacrifice and strength. Chanted were they in the villages and tents. Chanted were hymns of Heroes fallen. Chanted were they in vengeance, swollen. Chanted were stories of warriors charged, Chanted were they, with prides enlarged. And a Heart beat on pounded ribs. Her own, perspired from the orders spit Out to do what had to be done. To murder three hundred, to save a clan. To murder three hundred, with a heart of sand.