Freedom's Rare Sanctuary

like a grumpy ogre the twisted old tree stood guard notched scraggy boughs reached out in fierce surety naught had ever compromised its task in its dutiable charge the primeval stone held fast the blade proud and righteous Caliburn its hilt pointed to the stars the enchanted issue of Merlin's resolve and steadfast keeper of the kingdom thankless was the old tree's post none would e'er recall its name no eye would shed a salty drip to its end nay an honored oath spoken to its passing still it stood through the countless sad losses when the Wee Ones would die in autumn such beautiful quiet deaths falling in color to the forest carpet one soft exquisite flight to their end each one by itself each one dear to the old tree still it stood fearless and proud for it alone would be the first to witness it alone would hear the whisper of the wind when it breathed the name of the new king when it heralded the name of freedom to the world when The One slipped the blade from its surly bonds and the ancient stone split in righteous temper knife and knight blade and banneret Caliburn and king! like a grumpy ogre the twisted old tree stood guard ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Unsheathe Your Sword" Poetry Contest John Lawless, Judge & Sponsor. * This poem is written in "Suzette Prime", (created by a PS member), which consists of lines of prime number syllable counts ONLY, no punctuation or capitalizations, and only of topics which lend themselves to a philosophical statement. *