The Wandering Bard

Warrior Women

The Amazons of olden times

Were warrior women all.

They trained from birth in martial ways

To serve their queen at call.

They were the produce of their land,

The product commerce sold.

Their name renowned across the world,

Wherever tales were told.

In every shape a woman holds, 

These warriors built their strength,

To best the foes 'twere meant to fight

They'd go to any length.

Their fame was such, their arms were leased

In lands far from their isle.

Few men, not of the  warrior clans,

Dared put them to the trial.

Some were beauties, most were not,

Each drew a knowing glance.

In confidence of skill they'd walk,

With blade and bow and lance.

Their name derives from "breast-less ones",

A sacrifice to skill,

To free a bowstring on its flight,

More sure the future kill.

Among them were those built for war

And those more apt to spy,

Then learned in a woman's wiles,

Most pleasing to the eye.

As stoic as the Spartan men

When warring 'cross the land.

They loosed their passions, burning hot,

When on home soil they'd stand.

They stabled males for breeding stock

But rarely did they love.

Young males we sent to Spartan camps,

Before push came to shove.

Yet as before, new girls were kept

To learn their mother's ways.

Their lives were lived for Artemis.

They trained under Her gaze.

In every clime, in ancient times,

Those Amazons could fight.

But as the Spartan men of old,

They faded from our sight.

Out of sight but not of mind

For low their legend grows.

Especially when old men like me,

Go Barding, I suppose.

Richard Higley © July 30, 2014