Paladin Poem by Fiona Eris Strand

I am faced with two paths
Serenity
the path of atonement
Vengeance
the path of retribution

To continue down
the path of atonement
I will be looked on much more favorably
by those surrounding me
My entire existence dedicated
to guiding and inspiring as I take
their lives into my hands and protect them
Presence alone making them more powerful
However
in exchange for such compassion
am I left defenseless?
My only hope to guide my enemies
toward the path of righteousness
until they no longer oppose me
or are finally defeated?
Is this path too painful?
Will this path causes unending hurt
that must constantly be healed?


The other path is the path of retribution
If my sense of justice dictates
taking up arms against those
that would destroy me
and the ones I care about
perhaps I can shut them down
before they have the chance
to cause harm
I have the intellectual prowess to find weakness
in my enemies
and could easily strike them down
crusading against
their ignorance
their hatred
even their inner demons
However
if I choose vengeance
in my fury to wrathfully avenge and liberate
would I lose the inspiration and illumination
needed to guide and protect those I love?
The inner focus needed to be a protector
lost in the pursuit of justice?
Will I become so intent
on the eye for an eye philosophy
that I may lose the people I love without even noticing?
In my fanaticism, will I destroy the very reason
I sought to take up arms in the first place?

I am faced with two paths.