White Knight Poem by Laurence Overmire

I am your Lancelot
You, my Guinevere

Have you not recognized me
In the far-off meadows of your heart
Racing my stallion o’er the wild-flowered fields
Daring the dragons of lust and desire
Their fiery teeth scorching my breast
Drawing the blood of memories lost

And I, captive there
Have laid down my gauntlet

A fight to the death
Let no man intrude
Let time itself my second be
And stay the tide of idle dreams
Onlookers' murmurs to distract
A blunted will

I wear your colors, madam
The green of your eyes
The rose of your cheek
Spur my steed to its final chase
We fly in the wind
A reckless charge to Destiny.


(Previously published in Emotions, Summer 2000)