Welcomed Rest

[UberWilhelm]

I love medieval history and this one came to me after reading a book about the vikings. Hope you like it.



WELCOMED REST

The warm Summer sun shines upon him,
Glinting off armor and sword,
The air stinking of sweat, excitement, and fear,
Yet calmness.

A lion’s roar and the body jumps,
Feet pounding the grass flat as he races,
Into the open jaws of death,
Silence except for the rhythmic beating of his heart.

Carrion birds circle overhead,
Awaiting the pending feast,
Floating weightlessly on the gentle Summer breezes,
Lucky birds.

An explosion of sound,
The brilliant flash of metal,
Swords singing their death knell,
The dance has begun.

Step left, swing right, block, thrust,
The music plays in his head,
His reflexes in time to the beat,
Feet staying sure in a field soaked with blood.

Breathing becomes ragged,
Chest heaving,
Sweat soaked eyes stinging,
His helmet is a cage.

Stars during the day?
How unusual
The grass soft and cool on his back,
Silence falls like the headsmen’s axe.

A fierce battle,
A good death,
A smile,
Welcoming the darkness and final rest.