Lost Battles

Lost Battles Rubies and blue sapphires all winking in the sun as they topple down the stream today the bloodshed’s done. Lo the fallen kingdom, the people all enslaved wickedness upon them, not one will be saved. Royal purple satin, overlaid in gold carried in a babbling brook, collecting river mold. Lo the bloody water, the desecrated field carrion birds as judges, and naught will be repealed. Broken swords and broken shields are littered all around, the body of a crownless king is prostrate on the ground. His arms are reaching toward the bank and nothing in his hands outstretched toward a kingdom lost, upon the bloodied sands. So kneel and pledge your fealty to the headless royal crown join it in the depths below, breathe in - and then just drown. Or bow your head upon the blocks, the axe above you hangs hunger for what once was yours, and suffer from the pangs. No mercy will be given, no pardons and no grace the foe is screaming at the gate, “Surrender, show your face!” The only option left for you is rise and try to run or join the captive sapphires all winking in the sun. 10/13/16