Gauntlets Poem by Laurence Overmire

Young knight of the mortal realm
Your sturdy shield may weather
The blows of shallow circumstance
And protect your cowering limbs
From opportunity lost
But the noble Knight of Truth
Stands firm before ye
With fire-eyes
Defiant.

Lay down your futile shield.
No show of arms can shake an immortal foe.
His golden sword is at the ready
Tempered with the blood of men.
His gauntlet is down.
The choice is yours.

Cast yours beside it.
Let courage be your standard
And stand but proud
When the singing blade
Begins to cut your watery flesh and
Add its droplets to the ruddy river of Time.

Or die dishonored
On a field of shame
Your gauntlet in your hand.


(Previously published in The Odeum, Aug 2001)