Minstrelsy of Paladin
By: Lady Paladin
Gazing to silent
starry skies, the paladin
sighs and dreams of peace
He unsheaths his aged
blade and kneels, eyes closed gently
as in deep prayer
The burden of the
blue planet lies heavy on
his weary shoulders
He peels the leather
gloves from his hands and flexes
each aching finger
His frayed boots, after
treading such a long distance,
are tugged from each foot
The paladin glides
his bare fingertips along
the ancient sword's blade
Each nick and groove in
the fine edge reminds him of
harsh battles, friends lost...
His blue eyes flutter
open and glance down upon
the smooth, etched blade
The quiescent moon's
reflection shimmers on the
silvery metal
From the near woods, the
howl of a wolf snaps his mind
from it's reverie
His practiced fingers
grasp the sword hilt, and he leaps
to a battle stance
He stands barefoot, sword
held ready in his hands, breath
quickening in wait
Then he remembers
that the war has been won and
he is home at last
He sheathes his aged blade
and shakes his head, a rueful
smile crossing his lips
Peace may be upon
the land, but the instincts of
a knight never die