Gauntlets

Young knight of the mortal realm Your sturdy shield may weather The blows of shallow circumstance And protect your cowering limbs From opportunity lost But the noble Knight of Truth Stands firm before ye With fire-eyes Defiant. Lay down your futile shield. No show of arms can shake an immortal foe. His golden sword is at the ready Tempered with the blood of men. His gauntlet is down. The choice is yours. Cast yours beside it. Let courage be your standard And stand but proud When the singing blade Begins to cut your watery flesh and Add its droplets to the ruddy river of Time. Or die dishonored On a field of shame Your gauntlet in your hand. (Previously published in The Odeum, Aug 2001)