you wrap his dying hand
you are on a field of battle
your blow has struck deep
it is a death blow
the warrior has dropped his sword
you are an honourable man
you bend to pick it up for him
you wrap his dying hand around the weapon
and you hear his last words
they are of love
as you walk away from the battle
you are thinking of his love
alone
and you are thinking of your love
and that she'll be waiting
and you are sorry that it ends in death
and thankful that there is love until then
Copyright © michael dennis / South Western Ontario Poetry 1983
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