Mortal Sins
This carcase
This corpse
This empty shell
Shorn of its spirit
Its ready smile
Those twinkling eyes
Soft voice
And steely mind.
Tears stung his eyes
Misting the grim scene
Where was the young lad
Entrusted to his care
Destined now
For the ferryman
A ready listener
Careful observer
Easy learner
What he had been taught
Now all undone
By his pride
His resentment of his king
His refusal to fight
Having had to yield his prize
That is where it all began
And brought this bitter end
Cold shame
Cold anger
Cold steel
A murderous chill
A vow of vengeance
No pity
Only savage remorse
The body laid upon its pyre
The torch applied
Lit the flames of revenge
The flames licked the sky
Their smoke the incense
Heightening his prayers
Crying to heaven for catharsis
His men drew back
Serried ranks formed
Armed for the fight
Ready to follow
Witnesses of their hero
Primed for war
Dedicated to glory
In a duel to the death
Against the champion
Of the city under siege
And killer of their leader's ward
Thrice round the walls
Watched helplessly from above
Dragged in the dust
The victim mutilated and disgraced.
To Priam's pleas
He softened
The broken body
To his father returned
When pity
Smote his heart.
Our hero's end
An arrow in his heel
Fired from afar
By the prince
Who sparked
The whole tragedy
Copyright © Denis Bruce | Year Posted 2019
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