A Warrior's Lesson

Thrilled after earning my sword,

So sharp and sparkling away,

In every battle I fought,

Gripping the blunt end I stayed.

I swung my sword not in greed,

But honour I always kept,

But I sought notions to feed,

Straying from trust and respect.

Perfecting skill with my sword,

With my prowess I revelled,

Of my own wits I was sure,

I held the onus myself.

As I kept piercing my track,

My allies left for their way,

Despite the sharp sword I had,

Gripping my blunt end I stayed.

Reviews

[AJNJ]

This poem left me exhilarated as I'm reading something so great after a while on this website. The writing style is elegant and flowing and the message is a two-edged sword. Gripping the blunt end, for the sword knows know master and cuts regardless. To me this sword could be a powerful symbol for the pen and the righteous wars that can be fought with it. All in all, a fantastic poem. Its a pleasure to discover your poetry.

[Archishman Rick]

Thanks a ton for this great review, Mr.Pestonjee! I like your insightful analogy of a pen. I find it very satisfying when there can be multiple interpretations in my poem. My default one here is a lesson that one learns when s/he is too full of own abilities, distrusts and disregards others’ contribution, tries to reach the stars by himself, and fails, despite having great skill and wit.

[AJNJ]

Indeed, trust in allies is absolutely essential for growth, personal or professional. What a great point you made and so beautifully. Stay on and keep posting more stuff. The site needs a good shot of intellect and thinking, young writers.

[Archishman Rick]

Thanks again sir, your expectation is honouring, I look forward to your brilliant works as well. I'll try to post more often, although college stuff, activities and adapting to corporate life may slow me down. Gotta find that balance and keep trying :)

[AJNJ]

I'm always here if you need anything particular read any thoughts needed. Just let me know. See you around :)

[Archishman Rick]

Thanks I appreciate it. See you around too.

[barleygirl]

I do not have a good impression of this narrator, altho your poem is a vivid & stinging commentary on those who approach life like a battle. It seems as if this warrior is congratulating himself for swinging his sword, but not in greed . . . that strikes me like congratulating oneself for cutting off someone's head, but not getting any blood on the floor. That's why your message reads ironic to me. Being a warrior is nothing to brag about, in my book. Many warriors I've known & loved deeply have later regretted being sucked into glorifying violence as a solution (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Archishman Rick]

Excuse the late reply, Ms. Barleygirl. I enjoy the food for thought and distinguished perspectives you provide with each of your reviews. You see, this poem's essence is intended to be symbolic and metaphorical of real life scenarios where someone, despite showing promise is always vulnerable to whims of their own notions, if not careful. But, as you must have discerned here the setting of this poem is from an old or medieval era where being a warrior is literal. Since humans in general were arguably more simple minded and driven by stronger survival instinct back in those times, being an literal "warrior" and learning the hard way through violence were the usual, sad as it sounds, and as is in the case of the narrator of this poem. But that said, writing with imagery from those lost times is what was/is really appealing and beautiful to me. Im sorry to hear that some of those you've loved were sucked into violence.. but being a warrior is far beyond solving through violence. A true warrior is mighty and merciful at the same time, constructive and needn't carry a sword to be so. Well, all that is my take in a nutshell.
Hugs and fondly, Rick.

[John the Baptist]

This one seems to present conflicting views. Though the speaker seems to be a knight from a previous era, I believe this may be symbolic. What we have is one who has stayed the course and remained loyal to his mission, but the last lines of verse two seem to indicate that at one point he gave in to the whims of his ego. Whether the desertions of his friends was due to this is left to conjecture. The last lines may hint that though his prowess was somewhat diminished, he kept in the fight. The work may be a cautionary tale for those who succeed too quickly.

[Archishman Rick]

Thank for your comprehensive take, sir. The work does mean to be a cautionary tale backed by symbolism.The last line indeed speaks of the warrior's never say die attitude, but it also signifies him realizing how foolishly blunt he has stayed in his journey.

[Kari Rakitan]

Interesting thoughts on battling for honour, though I still see the pen as mightier than the sword.

[Archishman Rick]

Indeed, the pen has so much more scope of work than the sword. Even in the profoundest use, the pen only depletes ink, while the sword depletes blood.