BRAVEHEART

(My Royal Highness
     ordered me
          to go to
               battle again.

I made my plans,
     chose my men,
          my horses,
               my arms.

And at the crack of dawn,
     as the sunbeams
          break through the grey clouds,
               I lead my company,
                    not knowing
                         if we will win or lose,
                              conquer or be conqured,
                                   live or die,
                                        get back home or be gone forever.

As in all battles I led
     I so achingly want victory
          for my queen,
               my kingdom;
                    I want my men
                         to receive their knighthoods.

But alas, I fear
     for my men,
          my steed,
               my kingdom,
                    my queen.

Oh how wrong they were
      to think that this knight
          is still skillful,
               youthful,
                    brave as ever!

My stallion has aged
     my silver breastplate has lost its shine,
          my leather gloves and boots have cracked,
               my velveteen cape is already torn,
                    and my golden sword is about to break.

My dear queen,
     my beloved kingdom,
          perhaps you forgot
               that your gallant warrior
                    is growing old,
                         getting weak,
                              losing courage,
                                   and wanting rest.)

Braveheart is just my nom de plume.
Nothing more, nothing less.