Poesy plus Polemics

“Joust, The End of Augustus”
Painting by Oleg Osipoff
From boba.rs

what medieval adrenalin
launches me into the lists
I and my lances are ancient
we need younger champions
called to the horse these
are perilous times failure
shatters much more than
a blazon of pride it writes
doom upon shields murders
virtue so long in the learning
wherefrom will emerge noble
hands with the iron grip valor
requires where do goldsmith
cast hearts keep encampment
awaiting propitious arrangement
of evil to mount their mailed
chargers and come to the fore

I will fight the good fight to my
end but I’m poorly equipped ill
with age I need help from some
second with kingly credentials
the black knight has already
lowered his visor and all of
mankind hangs in gonfalon
breeze every damsel with
trembling ribbon outstretched
on the fingers of prayer steam
escapes heathen nostrils and
glistens impatience of muscular
flanks the black steed signals
readiness bearing his towering
master malevolent confident

now is the moment at hand
I lean down and give whisper
to my haggard mount that
the world seems content to
believe we are up to the task
one more time then the start
pennant drops and we mortal
combatants give spur to the
charge red clay flying from
hooves we converge at an
ungodly speed on the center
full tilt for the clashing point
lance to lance man to beast
history meeting the future
and then….