the army battalions stand
in their most resplendent array
and in numbers ne'er seen afore
their reddest banners unfurled
R E S O L U T E
is the signal
for both enemy and ourselves
and lo the General's encampment
set unabashedly to the front
outfit in richest leathers
and country's treasured tapestries:
their steeled will replete
well slept and clear eyes look to the fore
settling the matter to its conclusion
with clarifying stratagem,
afront and aright
a sleight of hand to the same
and torch and standard bearer’s state
R E A D Y
the leader steps forward
signaling his claim with
torches crossed and a third in a circle
H E R E
he shouts mightily to the horizon ahead
"I am he of infinite patience
that has waited in strength in
building silently
this army unconquerable.
I lay claim with no right than this:
who has wanted this more
who has tempered its desire
and applied the knowledges of heaven and earth
toward it?
I will want nothing else, but this..."
the torches drop and banners raise
he affixes his helm
his lieges do the same
the torches brightened as they drop upon pyres
the soldiers ready
same fire in their eyes reflected
jaws firmed
their foot in unison afore
and the ground responds
the General to the front
drawing his sword in measured and tempered step
raised it to the heavens
then leveled forward
the dragon's horn blows
the legions step ahead
the foundation of the earth shifts
and is irrevocably changed
- February 14th, 2022