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Death of a Knight

Blood surges through the deep gash in his armor
while the brave knight writhes in pain and cries in anguish.

The battle is over now and the knight drops hard to the ground
knowing that his life force is ebbing and his strength is waning.

With the battle finished the knight begins his final fight
with Death in his inevitable glory and result.

The knight’s blood now slows to a quiet trickle like blood tears
while key moments in his life flash before him lightening quick.

The knight finds his comfort in love of family and country;
this is a moment of solace as his body tightens in Death’s grip.

His blood now seeps into the ground itself and his breathing grows shallow,
and twilight moves to darkness in the knight’s final conscious thought.

The knight murmurs:  fighting, war, and duty to my king have been my life,
but now I must take leave of this mortal coil.

With that Death takes the Knight’s mortal body and the hand of God carries
his heavenly soul to everlasting eternity. 


Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved (September 9, 2014) (Distich or Unrhymed Couplet)

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Timothy Mcguire Date: 4/7/2022 6:02:00 PM Great poem! Well written. If you get a chance read my poem, " Blue and the Gray". The best to you and yours. Tim Login to Reply

Laura Breidenthal Date: 8/7/2015 1:06:00 AM Another stunning poem, Gary. I am blown away! Stanza 4 and 7 are intense...always excellent work from you~Laura Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 8/7/2015 6:14:00 PM Thanks Laura!! This was one of my earlier writes. I do like the medieval themes too. And I want to do more of these as I can get to them. The Couplet is a great vehicle for a theme like this!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Liam Mcdaid Date: 11/3/2014 10:41:00 AM touching deeply superbly beautifully panned piece dear pal Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 11/3/2014 11:43:00 AM Liam . . . Thanks so much Mate!! Cheers, Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter Date: 10/11/2014 2:18:00 PM Very sad but I really liked your poem a lot Gary. I just love history so much and anything to do with kings castles and Knights;) love peace and light! xxxxx D. Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 10/12/2014 9:24:00 AM D, Thanks for the read (again). Yes, this one is a sad one. I noticed that you read this one before. I also find this part of medieval history dealing with the knights to be quite interesting. All the best to you!! Cheers, Gary

Regina Mcintosh Date: 9/13/2014 1:45:00 AM Sad poem, but I enjoyed it. Love & prayers, Gina Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 9/13/2014 5:09:00 PM It truly is a sad poem Gina. Glad you liked it. All the Best . . . Gary

Constance La France Date: 9/11/2014 4:51:00 PM Your poem is wonderful, so well written and I was captivated with the story from the first word, well done ~~ Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 9/12/2014 7:57:00 AM Broken Wings . . . Thank you very much for your observation of my work and for your very kind words. I will check out your poems as well. I will have more poems on the way soon and probably plan to enter another contest. We all have a message to share with our respective works. Best Wishes, Gary

S.Jagathsimhan Nair Date: 9/10/2014 5:04:00 PM Nice poem, with haunting images and lucid expression!! Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 9/10/2014 5:08:00 PM Mr. Nair . . . Thank you so much for your time in reading my work here. I really appreciate your comment!! I will check out your works too. Best Wishes, Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter Date: 9/10/2014 4:16:00 PM Very nice poem Gary! And about a subject I like well enough myself. Really loved it! Be back to read more of your work in the future. Keep the good work! xxxxx D. Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 9/10/2014 4:58:00 PM Thanks so much for your read here Dorian. Glad you liked it. I will be a reader of your works as well. Best Wishes to on all of your future poems!! Cheers, Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter Date: 9/10/2014 4:16:00 PM Very nice poem Gary! And about a subject I like well enough myself. Really loved it! Be back to read more of your work in the future. Keep the good work! xxxxx D. Login to Reply

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 9/10/2014 7:37:00 AM Your poem, dear Gary, incarnates so vividly the battles of the Knight, with the enemy and with the death in a truly remarkable way. One feels the worry, the agony and finally the resignation of the knight to his destiny! Excellent! Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 9/10/2014 10:14:00 AM Demetrios, Thank you so much for your reply and for your wonderful comments and keen observation of this poem. You indeed captured the central essence of this poem. I've got more works on the way and will follow your works too. I've got to get into another contest too soon. Best Wishes, Gary

Arthur Vaso Date: 9/9/2014 9:10:00 PM Hello Gary, I really enjoy historical pieces and especially when you provide some background, makes the poem all the more fun to read, great write!!!! Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 9/10/2014 3:56:00 AM Thanks Arthur!! . . . I also have "Author's Notes" included in all of my works as posted. I have a big epic narrative poem on the way which will posted in several sections. More history, but this one is a black one -- on Witchcraft. I will check out your poems too. Best Wishes and Cheer, Gary

Casarah Nance Date: 9/9/2014 9:04:00 PM Nicely done! Your poems have the intellectual stimulation that keeps me interested, there is so many subjects and perspectives out there, you sure know your stuff when you write, it is a pleasure to read. :) Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 9/10/2014 10:17:00 AM Cas, Thank you very much. God you keep writing that kind of praise for me, I might start getting "Big Headed" or something. I'm glad you liked the poem. Each of us has somewhat different writing styles, but this is to be expected. Regardless, having fun and communicating is most important!! Cheers, Gary