Dear Love

Winner of 2nd Place in Round 102 of the "Invalid Item" 


Would that our memories cloak thee in joy,
for it hath been too long since I have seen thy face.
When we ran ‘round together, coquettish, coy,
the grand nest of our love left never a trace.

Bittersweet tears would escape thine eyes when
I would call upon thee to bid a farewell.
My forlorn visage would not betray me then,
yet my soul died that moment; I never would tell

oh just how much I suffered without thee,
for I must march on and essay to be brave.
Hence do not be gast, that is my one plea,
for I need thy litanies to endure the grave.

My sword and my shield are my friends against foes.
This biting cold does nothing to help our cause.
How many days and nights, God only knows.
Fearful, we struggle to protect our laws.

For enemies far and enemies near
have always endeavored to overtake kings.
My oath taken, knighted, I no longer fear
for what may become of me as I have wings--

Wings like a dragon, the one I have slain
in this battle, mad, so riddled with tombs.
Judicious is he who returns the reign
of kingdom to King atop the corpses’ fumes.

Now go thee, my fair one, and do visit me
where I lay in tranquility, in repose.
Pray, do not tax me as it was my duty
to King and Country and to my English rose.