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I tried to play it straight- like a song you'd hear in an old pub or something. The General's Fate - 553 words Throaty howls and the clanging steel Filled the battlefield. Stomping boots crushed upon the ground as blows fell on the shield. The General stood before the men “Today’s the day we die!” And with a flourish of his sword He led them with a cry. Down deep into the blooded marsh The General killed with ease And all His men looked on in awe as they saw He was pleased. For every head that He did chop And every bone He broke The General’s grin grew larger And began His horse to stroke. “Onward steed, let no man stop us” was His coarsely uttered roar; onward they went to sow that field with discord and bloody gore. The day grew long as the battle raged And men looked on their Maker. Souls plenty sent to Heav’n or Hell As they all sought favor Of the fierce and mighty General. But when He found the camp Where the foe had kept their kin He trod forth, raised His lamp “Women, children, all without guard, what protects your righteous lives?” The General sneered and drew His blade As mothers fled amid babies’ cries. The gruesome work began with vigor. The General killed them all, Except for one – a child – No more than four feet tall This Boy of ten years stood his ground And cursed the General’s name. The Boy threw stones and hurled barbs As the General forward came. His wicked steel shone in the light Of the bright harvest moon, And He swung down to end the Boy’s Pure young life too soon. But Heav’n guided the steps of the boy As he darted beneath The General’s many vicious cuts And drew a knife from sheath. The General’s great laugh boomed aloud As he mocked the child’s play “What foolishness jest you young boy? Your flesh I’ll surely flay!” Yet the Boy let out a victor’s cry As he found the armor’s chink And thrust his blade deep in the gap Faster than his foe could think The General fell into the mud And breath’d His life’s vapor Out into that frigid black night. He saw Hell’s demons caper. “What fate finds me this fateful eve! A disgrace to my name, that my final duel did come unbid; This wound has ended my claim To an honored place in the halls Of my many lauded kin. I am done in by this youth’s blade; A warrior’s greatest sin Is to find himself thus felled Not by war but a child. The Boy responded with a voice No longer meek or mild “Go on, you beast, you soulless man, go die a coward’s death; you sought to kill the innocent, so with your dying breath I command that Hell take you on Down to the fiery pit And torture you for every drop Of blood that you have spilt.” And thus the General met his end At the hands of this young boy, A death noted for both its justice And its method of employ. A lesson learned for all men that Life’s end can soon be met By forthright battle in the field. Or, lest you all forget, That even the mighty can find Their end on a child’s knife. Beware the fate of those with hubris; Your pride will end your life.
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| ← # ? Jan 10, 2013 20:52 |
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