Old Warrior

Old warrior.

You may sheath your weapons now.

You have conquered the worst of your fears.

You have slayed the dragons.

Old warrior.

You may dance now.

You may love now as you never have.

You have vanquished your demons.

You were shown the other side.

Pain whispered in your ear.

Now you know it's time

Old warrior.

Remove your bloodstained armour.

Abandon the memories that have kept you captive.

Do not wring your hands or make a show.

It is better they don’t know.

Hold your horror deep inside and let

It die in peace.

Do not cheapen your disguised beginning.

It is not worth your time

And even then, they will not know it

To see it.

Old Warrior,

Lay down your battered shield

Lay down your heart.

You have stood at deaths door

And you refused to enter.

Tempted as you may have been

It is the names things are given

It is how things are spoken of

That amounts to fear.

So speak not.

Lay down your heart

Lay down your battered shield.

Old Warrior, I loved you once

I know better now.

I have learned the traps you have laid.

It was decided long ago there would be

No forgiveness.

And you hear your victims whispering together.

This can’t be good for you

Given they take you at your word.

Old warrior,

Why can’t you make excuses for yourself.

Why can’t you see it from our point of view.

We can bring back forgiveness,

if you can  bring back repentance.

Derek Earl Houghton