Walk a mile

Two Men Fencing

Two blurs in the weakening light of evening
dance on nimble tongues.
A swift riposte, a witty parry,
a smirk, a feint,
retreat.

Two blurs in the weakening light of evening,
the art of conversation.
A shuffle and a scuffle,
disengage, advance,
passé.

Two blurs in the weakening light of evening,
a challenge made and met.
Invitation, presentation,
determined insistence,
and, at last, touché.


Free verse. Written 11 May 2016.

Author's note ▼

riposte - An attack made immediately after a parry of the opponent's attack.
parry - A simple defensive action designed to deflect an attack, performed with the forte of the blade.
feint - An offensive movement resembling an attack in all but its continuance
retreat
conversation - The back-and-forth play of the blades, composed of phrases punctuated by gaps of no blade action.
disengage - A type of feint.
advance - the basic forward movement.
passé - An attack that passes the target without hitting.
challenge
Invitation - A line that is intentionally left open to encourage the opponent to attack.
presentation - Offering one's blade for engagement by the opponent.
touché - used to acknowledge a hit, called out by the fencer who is hit.