Ode to a King

240 13 8
                                        

Can you see him? He draws his sword

And his dark eyes rage;

Rage like the ocean, dark as the woods,

And he fights, oh, he fights

For goodness or justice or peace

(Or honour or pride or fear.)

Do you see now? The killing blow -

The weary smile, the anger fades,

And he fights to keep standing,

To stand firm,

Until the battle is over.


Oh, but do you see? Watch as his eyes settle

Like glass on the sea,

And see him raise his shield and hope beyond hope.

Watch as the rage drains out of him

And is replaced with a different strength,

A kinder one,

An older one.

Can't you see him clearer now?

He drops to his knees,

Exhales,

And lets the fight end around him,

Clinging to a sheet of metal

And wondering at his luck.


Oh, a boy is nothing without his sword,

But a king is nothing without his shield.

Further Up & Further InWhere stories live. Discover now