Ken Allan Dronsfield Poet Free verse

King Richard III

Temperance of valor, greet me without shame
steal away with a sword from my leather baldric.
Grant me a final wish before ending my life,
thrust upon a throne with defiant sufferance.
Whilst falling in battle on a muddy bloody field;
although devout of faith, who shall pray for me?
Will our great God above grant forgiveness for past
sinful murderous deeds? I'm a warrior, not a priest,
tiller of soil; nor a follower guided along pious paths.
I can never forget that shrill of the battlefield wails.
Proclaim your righteous virtues, sing your victory
songs as sky and blood drain from my pallid eyes.
I now rule the people only in faded memories;
not a shameless King but a man of wanton dignity,
standing upon a white boar, I soar upon a ravens wing.

Richard the Third Poetry Contest
1/30/2026
Sponsored by: Robert James Liguori

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Sam Kauffman February 27, 2026 at 12:22 PM Ken, congratulations on your trophy win. There is a defiance in the king's voice - a royal proclamation of royalty - with a subtle underpinning of faith. Every line is so carefully crafted for full impact! Wonderful writing. Very deserving of the trophy. Sending you blessings. Ken Allan Dronsfield February 27, 2026 at 5:22 PM My deep thanks for your reading and enjoying my poetry. Have a wonderful weekend and God bless!

Krish Radhakrishna February 26, 2026 at 8:09 AM Congrats on your top win! Great write!! Lovely portrayal of-the king whose skeleton remains were discovered some years ago not far from where I live ( Close to Stratford upon Avon) Ken Allan Dronsfield February 26, 2026 at 11:11 AM Thank you for your kind words.

Christuraj Alex February 25, 2026 at 6:49 PM "not a shameless King but a man of wanton dignity" - The characteristic features of King Richard II are very powerfully portrayed. Congratulations! Ken Allan Dronsfield February 26, 2026 at 11:03 AM Thank you so very much my friend.

Robert James Liguori February 25, 2026 at 9:31 AM Best wins the trophy; congrats. Ken Allan Dronsfield February 25, 2026 at 11:08 AM Thank you so very much Robert. I'm honored!

Linda Alice Fowler February 25, 2026 at 7:14 AM Very concise summation of Richard from his POV. Congratulations Ken! :) Ken Allan Dronsfield February 25, 2026 at 11:09 AM Thank you kindly Linda.

Andrea Dietrich January 31, 2026 at 6:18 PM Wow. So well written. Sadly I do not even know anything about this king so I have no clue what to write. I will likely just read up on him and write a simple clerihew Ken Allan Dronsfield January 31, 2026 at 8:34 PM Thank you Andrea. If you can simply read Shakespeare's "Richard III"....it will give you all you need! I appreciate you very much!