Young knight of the mortal realm <br />Your sturdy shield may weather <br />The blows of shallow circumstance <br />And protect your cowering limbs <br />From opportunity lost <br />But the noble Knight of Truth <br />Stands firm before ye <br />With fire-eyes <br />Defiant. <br /> <br />Lay down your futile shield. <br />No show of arms can shake an immortal foe. <br />His golden sword is at the ready <br />Tempered with the blood of men. <br />His gauntlet is down. <br />The choice is yours. <br /> <br />Cast yours beside it. <br />Let courage be your standard <br />And stand but proud <br />When the singing blade <br />Begins to cut your watery flesh and <br />Add its droplets to the ruddy river of Time. <br /> <br />Or die dishonored <br />On a field of shame <br />Your gauntlet in your hand. <br /> <br /> <br />(Previously published in The Odeum, Aug 2001)<br /><br />Laurence Overmire<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/gauntlets/
