Retreat

Thunderous hooves upon the grass, mist fills the early dawn.
Heavy breath of choking emotions while riding across the lawn.
The maiden’s eyes trace the trail while staring at the clouds
and salt and water fill her pools, as the warrior, war-bound, rides so proud.
She fears she’s lost her heart to one, the warrior who rides away.
And she knows she’ll never love the same, until he returns to her someday.
She strengthens lip and backbone to compensate for weakness in her heart.
And turns away to meet the day, while mitzpah souls are harshly torn apart.

The darkened forest rises up, the warrior slows the pace.
Although his horse is rested, he does not want to run this race.
Eyes watchful, sensing danger, his hand rests upon his sword.
While the maiden slumbers restlessly, fearing for her lord.
Around a bend in trodden path, a sight grips at his soul..
The bodies of his comrades lay in horrid bloody pools
Then anger firm and forceful fills his limbs and eyes with blood.
And urging his steed to gallop through the hellish forms and mud.

In the distance he spies his adversary, the evil and the stench.
He who treats each man like cattle, each lady like a wench.
And the following he commands surrounds him with a hundred strong.
The battle forms where human waves crash: a battle fierce and long.
The victor of this battle claims no treasure of his own,
Mounting again, he turns back then. Retreating to his home.
The spoils to the victors, but a greater treasure lies.
In the moment when the warrior drinks love again from his beloved maidens eyes.