The Homecoming

The horseman rode up over the hill

Astride of his coal black steed,

His blood had dried on its withers, till

He may have been dead, indeed,

His battered buckler hung at his side

And his chain mail coat was rust,

He’d left so many behind who died

Of his comrades, turned to dust.

The scars crept over his forehead where

The enemy slashed at his helm,

He’d beaten off so many before

Their numbers had overwhelmed,

He’d planted pikemen deep in the ditch

As they thought they’d pulled him down,

A final thrust in their mortal dust

Saw them set, deep set in the ground.

And now, but one chased him down the hill

His sword raised clear to the sky,

He seemed determined to cleft his pate

Though one might question, ‘Why?’

The battle done on the battlefield

There had just remained these two,

As up there twirled a funnel of smoke

From a single chimney flue.

And out there burst from the cottage door

A woman who’d lain in wait,

For two long years she had hoped and prayed

He’d return to his estate,

He didn’t know about Fontainebleau

Who had offered up his hand,

And swore that when he returned from war

She would take the better man.

But now she stood with her father’s bow

And an arrow from his quiver,

Determined only to greet her man

And the other horseman, never!

They galloped down from the mountainside

In line with her shaking bow,

With him so suddenly unaware

Why the arrow, why the bow?

The second rider had gained the ground

He needed for his charge,

And swung his sword above and around

To clatter his helm, at large,

The rider fell from his forward horse

As his woman raised her bow,

And saw the arrow fly fleet and fast

To the eye of Fontainebleau.

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Valentine]

Another wonderful tale. As a female it left me wondering why she chose the weak run away from the pursuer. Valentine

[PhoenixDown]

You take my breath away man.
Every
single
time.

[Lady Lola]

An incredible piece of poetry; about war as well as love. I guess sometimes they're more related than one would hope.
You created very haunting imagery, as is your specialty. Very beautifully and dramatically written!

[A Soap Mess Stories]

An epic tale. Well done and well-written.

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

A decisive tale of strutted essential meaning and talent, well done, good read.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the tale. Create dangerous battle with good ending. I wanted to know and read more. Thank you my friend for sharing your amazing tales.
Coyote

[MomzillaNC]

Brilliant! She showed him! Did her horseman survive?

[No one]

nice poem Mr.David, it is pictured like a living scene.
Good luck for more writings,
Lilia.