Chivalrous Deed Poem by Eric Paeplow

Dawn breaks, while the morning mists,
drift silently over the field of battle
Polished armour shining bright,
as the first rays of sunlight shown
What shall it be, victory or defeat,
life, or, his last labored breath
Today shall he live or die,
survive or expire, eternity is nigh

The sound of mounting horsemen,
breaking at last, the early morning still
The smell of smoke and horse's breath,
fills the air, with the acrid smell of death
His heart pounds and his mouth is dry,
while beads of sweat drip into his eyes
His senses alive, the anticipation builds,
awaiting the signal, time standing still

Across the field, the opposing armour,
in final preparations for the fray
The line forms, one final adjustment,
the battle, at last, is about to begin
The bugle sounds and the charge begins,
rushing headlong towards the human wall
Hearing screams of pain and sudden death,
charging past the bodies as they fall

Thundering hooves, pound beneath flowing manes
as they crash headlong into the onrushing tide
Flashing swords and blood curdling screams,
the field of battle, littered with the dead and dying
Charging recklessly towards certain death,
a sudden jolt, violently cleaves him from his steed
As he lay, body numb, gazing towards the sky,
he drew his parting breath and then at last, died