Notes About The Poem

Lucas Guerrini - Old Knight returns from battle.

The Last Knight

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

Poem

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Smith Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 6:23 AM
Excellent poetry Gregory, much enjoyed. :)
Barden Avatar
May 8, 2020 at 1:11 AM
Thank you so much, Gary - I appreciate it, my friend! :o)
La France Avatar
May 5, 2020 at 7:06 PM
Greg, wonderful, congratulations on your win in my contest. I really enjoyed your poem _Constance
Barden Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 2:54 AM
Thank you so much, Constance, this made my day! Blessings, My Friend! <3
Hamilton Avatar
May 5, 2020 at 11:16 AM
What did I say? Knew it was a winner!!
Barden Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 2:53 AM
You're my lucky charm, John - thanks, my friend! :o)
Rodrigues Avatar
May 5, 2020 at 7:46 AM
Excellent! You are so good at this type of story! Congratulations, Greg!
Barden Avatar
May 6, 2020 at 2:53 AM
That's very kind of you, Kim - thanks so much! <3
Watt Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 4:44 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
Barden Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 5:22 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
Roper Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 10:53 AM
Congratulations on your 1st place win in Dear Heart’s contest, Greg, great story, enjoyed reading. Hugs Eve
Barden Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 5:17 PM
Thank you so very much, Eve, that means a lot to me - blessings, Dear Poet! <3
Hamilton Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 10:22 AM
Ok...so now we see another winner! No doubt this one felt good as it flowed, an inspiring couplet G!
Barden Avatar
May 4, 2020 at 5:17 PM
Thank you very much, John, I appreciate that. Blessings, Bud.
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