Knighted
I kneel on the dusty battlefield,
my eye catches a glint of the tarnished sword.
The glint blinds me, my mind
fills itself with memories from long before.
I, a young boy, am riding on a youthful pony.
My body trembles with this new wonder,
as the pony’s smooth gait prompts me
to kick its sides, increasing speed…
Next, I, the adolescent esquire, follow my mentor loyally
into this new, brutal land
where bloodshed is common,
beyond the shelter of the castle…the battlefield.
The sight of men at other’s mercy chills me.
Arrows pierce the ill willed,
as they fall like salty tears onto
the blood-stained earth.
Yet I know my duty is to serve another,
older and wiser than I.
This harsh land haunts me as I refill
my mentor’s quiver of arrows
and adjust the gleaming helmet upon his head.
My visions of the past clear like a herd of untamed horses,
my eyes beseech my mentor.
His worn gaze tells of the many battles he has fought,
but wisdom shines in his eyes.
The sword taps my shoulder,
like the touch of a seraph of heaven.
He claps my shoulder,
as if to remind me of the dark times ahead.
“You, young man, are my equal,”
said he, “upon this field your courage
has proved your worthiness-a noble
knight you shall be.”
The coward in my heart screams for redemption,
yet this new being-the knight-in my spirit
raises me to my feet
and takes me back to the castle, where
good times-along with brutal-await.
Copyright © Megan Kibler | Year Posted 2008
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment