Ode to Death

In The canyon that lays there beside my home,
I lay down and awaited the coming dawn.
Though meditative I found myself at peace,
Remorseless for the time I spent on this earth.

Twas daybreak when I heard the trumpets of doom,
And suddenly knew where my gravestone would lie,
Arising to meet my final, deadliest foe,
Fearless I stood at the end of the path.

Slowly but surely they marched toward my home,
Till the sun broke oer' my honor and I.
Unable to contain my feelings of rage,
I charged towards the numberless foe.

Surprised by the sheer reckless tenacity,
They stood for a moment unsure what to think.
Their loss was the gain of my merciless hand,
Its judgment enacted on all in its way.

Shaking his head and calling all to the fight,
Their captain strode forth into the midst of the fray.
Undaunted by the challenge in his eyes,
Thoughtless I accepted our duel to the death.

Pacing forward he drew his long silver blade,
And suffered I from a momentary fear.
If I were to fall, the path would be theirs,
My home would be burned, and its treasures unveiled.

He sprung forth to strike, but I parried his blow,
Still thinking of those I profess to defend.
Then suddenly things became straight in my mind,
And I gritted my teeth and cried out for blood.

No more did doubt plague my adamant mind,
No more did his head plague the rest of his form.
I cackled as his body fell to the ground,
And his guard fell back to the start of the path.

I cleaned my blades as I watched them retreat,
Humming my song to that now deserted place.
Short was my respite but grateful I was,
The greatest battle had already been won.

The sun was up in the middle of the sky,
When next they descended upon that same path.
Horrified, enraged by the sight of their dead,
They fell upon me with a newfound zeal.

Unconcerned by the return of their courage,
I slew one then the next with deathly grace.
The ground now strewn with mounting pools of blood,
Soon gone was their fervor, their reckless attack.

First one then the rest of their band did flee,
Hunted, pursued by my judgment of wrath.
I turned back after slaying many a foe,
Secretly relived for their second retreat.

I watched the sun set and wondered out loud,
"Will this be the last time we say farewell?"
Then turned I to the mouth of my canyon,
And awaited my foes next daring return.

Though steadfast, my wait was a painful ordeal,
And I could do naught to stop my nodding head.
I dreamt of my home, my love and my life,
Sweet memories for an exhausted mind.

Then stood forth my own and whispered to me,
"Wake, and fear not. I am with you alway"
I shook my head and my vision then cleared,
"Goodbye..." I said to that beautiful girl.

In front of me stood the Lord of the Host,
Surrounded, shielded by the best of his men.
I narrowed my eyes and struck up a smile,
I never imagined this glorious end.

I ran forth to meet them, and steel did meet steel,
Our metal was tested as never before.
My leg was cut open, and lifeblood flowed out,
Yet I was not slowed by that terrible wound.

My body, my mind, my life and my soul,
Did come together in hymn of defiance.
I knew my leg would carry me to the end,
And I pushed forward despite all in my way.

Their blades ran through me, and mine did through them,
Still quickly I pressed toward my final goal.
The Lord of the Host looked into my eye,
Then knew he where his gravestone would lie.

We fell side by side, both warriors dead,
It pleased me to know that the host would stop there.
Though now I am gone, and never to return,
All may remember the last stand that I took.

All may remember the last stand that I took.