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The Last Knight

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Lucas Guerrini - Old Knight returns from battle.

An old man sat in solemn rain, To hide the tears of ancient pain. Eons watching kings tread past, Destroyed by a dark iconoclast. His rusted armor bore the blame, Countless years of crude campaign. The seraphs felt his magic blade, But with each felled, a bargain made. Each demon slaughtered, keen and cold, Took broad allowance from his soul ... Decades passed, his crusades bleak, The aged knight waxed jaded, weak. With each new evil he dispatched, His soul grew smaller, less attached. His essence dwindled day-by-day, As will and purpose ebbed away. Gone, the days of knightly valor, Traded, thus, for ashen pallor. Evil vanquished, life grew calmer, Done, his need of shining armor. Soul but spent, and evil gone, He had no need to carry on. Still, he strained to mark his worth, A life of service, death-from-birth. While frigid rain now hid his weep, His weary bones demanded sleep, But he'd not die here, sight unseen, Without due honor to his queen ... So, up he climbed, atop his steed, For one more quest, her last ... "Godspeed!" ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Couplet - Any Theme, Any Length" Poetry Contest, Dear Heart, Judge & Sponsor.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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Date: 5/6/2020 6:23:00 AM
Excellent poetry Gregory, much enjoyed. :)
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/8/2020 1:11:00 AM
Thank you so much, Gary - I appreciate it, my friend! :o)
Date: 5/5/2020 7:06:00 PM
Greg, wonderful, congratulations on your win in my contest. I really enjoyed your poem _Constance
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/6/2020 2:54:00 AM
Thank you so much, Constance, this made my day! Blessings, My Friend! <3
Date: 5/5/2020 11:16:00 AM
What did I say? Knew it was a winner!!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/6/2020 2:53:00 AM
You're my lucky charm, John - thanks, my friend! :o)
Date: 5/5/2020 7:46:00 AM
Excellent! You are so good at this type of story! Congratulations, Greg!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/6/2020 2:53:00 AM
That's very kind of you, Kim - thanks so much! <3
Date: 5/4/2020 4:44:00 PM
hmm, maybe about your dad? Or at least inspired by him? Very winsome in your mastery of old-school poetry style and lexicon. Always a pleasure to read you, Bard and be transported to another realm. Congrats on your #1 ~ John
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/4/2020 5:22:00 PM
Actually, this was not inspired by my dad, (though I imagine subconsciously he was part of it), but rather a fantasy story I had an idea for that never panned out. I DO have a couple similar pieces written for my dad, though, and should you care to read them in the future I'll leave the links - one is a fave of mine. Many thanks, my friend! :o) (1) https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/valors_silhouette_939311 // (2) https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/shadow_man_1206292
Date: 5/4/2020 10:53:00 AM
Congratulations on your 1st place win in Dear Heart’s contest, Greg, great story, enjoyed reading. Hugs Eve
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/4/2020 5:17:00 PM
Thank you so very much, Eve, that means a lot to me - blessings, Dear Poet! <3
Date: 5/4/2020 10:22:00 AM
Ok...so now we see another winner! No doubt this one felt good as it flowed, an inspiring couplet G!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 5/4/2020 5:17:00 PM
Thank you very much, John, I appreciate that. Blessings, Bud.

Book: Shattered Sighs