#NaPoWriMo day thirty

On most of his journeying
at home and abroad
Edward lingered
just long enough
to acquire open neglect,
a dark and imperious temper;
his wasted frame
wrapped in the skin
of hope.
 
*
 
There had to be a home.
However, as the case may be,
nothing is known about those
who lingered—there has been little
statistical recognition.
 
Here is what is recorded:
he was born, died, buried.
 
So ends the story:
a rare and lovely name
destined to ill luck.
 
They did everything possible
to save him—his wasted frame,
his energies, filled with all
manner of replicas, his body.
 
*
 
There is a disagreement among authorities
as to the number: some say fifteen,
others seventeen, eleven, or thirteen.
Their names – those who lingered:
Eleanor, Joanna, Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth,
Alice, Blanche, Beatrice, Katherine.
 
This much is well established:
all shared beauty. Some were blond
and blue-eyed, some duskier.
Beauty was worshiped.
 
That story will have to be told later.

NaPoWriMo day twentynine

Edward swore to avenge.
This was accomplished
by the use of fire.
 
Edward had instructions
to get as close as he could
to gain a position of strength.
 
Edward took up his position
and waited.

NaPoWriMo day twentyeight

without consulting,
he wrote to many.
he found Edward
prepared to do anything,
to take any action.
he took an active part
in demanding all
be summoned.
he took his seat
at the right hand
of experience.
 
*
 
abolished still
and unwilling
to proceed
he found
Edward making
a thorough
investigation
to coerce
wisdom
 
new charges
were added
it was said that
he confessed
to worshiping
an idol
 
the conspiracy
had the expected
effect. action
was taken and
defended
 
out into the open
the properties
of order were
assigned. there
were methods
he pursued later
 
*
 
co-operation was highly demanding.
prepared to coerce, Edward
wrote questioning charges.
the shocking catalogue
was now confessed:
worshiping skin and eyes
and bodies to be given.
action was taken, explained later;
a sermon which condemned
the properties of order,
a limited prosecution.
this decision wanted all
the methods of circumventing
the final act, the great tragedy.
he had played an inglorious part
because of his inability to confess.

NaPoWriMo day twentyseven

a triumphal procession.
evidence of possession.
the first stages of display.
the enthusiasm of the captive.
he grew steadily weaker,
was charged with many offenses,
of conspiring, of mismanagement,
of unnecessary severity.
 
*
 
She had a praiseworthy body.
From the first, trumpets sounded
and heralds called attention
to this powerful miracle.
 
*
 
Edward was still wanted.
Honorably rescued
from the journey of forces.
The favourite in every town.
Passing through derision,
paid little heed, refusing
food and drink.
He feared he had not much longer
to live—cheated of revenge,
blamed for defeat; the steps
taken to gain for himself
a reputation, sentenced
by common assent,
accordingly. Unfortunate.

NaPoWriMo day twentysix

he never forgave
and was not freed
 
it had been costly
but he would come back
with high hopes
 
from this time onward
would break the chains
 
*
 
he took a leaf
from the book
 
an act of treason
the cost: lives,
possessions, prestige.
 
*
 
He took up arms,
and until his death
he was free
from confinement,
monastery, cage.
 
There is a legend:
he had once been
entrusted, was kept
through rain and
sleet and frost,
food and a bottle of wine.
 
Small forces,
but with days
of indecision.
Serving, he would
have one thought
only, one purpose
in life, no matter
what the cost.

NaPoWriMo day twentyfive

equal strength.
where the enemy
would penetrate.
equal strength
held as a reserve.
his greatest advantage
to form a proper array,
finding the larger force.
Edward cried
this was a necessary evil
to begin the battle;
cried scornfully
cowards!
 
*
 
There was some danger
being under the command of need.
A new conception of warfare.
Keenly aware there would be
neither time nor space for them
to find themselves.
Conflict began early.
This was a surprise.
The reason was soon clear:
reluctance.
 
*
 
A formidable barricade had been raised.
They were stationed and could be dispatched swiftly
where a need for them might arise.
On this day, nothing was amiss.
A winding road would bring them
to the battlefield. The larger the force,
the greater difficulty would become.
The morning brought word to Edward.
Edward was known for new ideas.
Reason would cover and permit use.
Force. Weight.

NaPoWriMo day twentyfour

the whole world began to ask a question.
the quarreler came to the throne,
a pretender who did not convince anyone.
he dodged his fate then gave up the struggle.
survival was, in reality, a penal code.
 
*
 
The master perished,
some malignant fate
pursuing. Born
healthy and handsome,
he was a poet
and surrounded himself
by minstrels and students.
Against fate, the path
seemed to have been cleared.
Who had the right to persist?
Refusal had been invoked
on several occasions,
its value declared.
 
*
 
the world pronounced the fate:
he was beckoned.
it was believed many substituted
a pretender. who did not?
surrounded by wonder,
he watched with interest
the struggle against fate.
there was a document
of doubtful application;
laws. Edward was prepared.

NaPoWriMo day twentythree

Edward made no effort
although some clamored
for action. aggression
had come to a standstill.
 
no plans could be discussed
with him; he had a grievance
to air. he was reluctant
to yield to ill treatment.
 
*
 
the power of resistance had been shaken.
a temporary triumph. come to a standstill,
vindicating judgement. Edward sent word
to come to his assistance.
in a state of bitterness and gloom
so deep no one cared to go near him.
before leaving he wanted to be held.
an ultimatum: if not released
at once, he would strike another blow.
still in a state of irritation,
an accepted condition.
 
*
 
to that end,
he made the wise
decision
to establish
use. for that
purpose Edward
sent assistance,
arrived to find
himself
beaten.
no plans
could be
discussed—
he had refused
to honour
his promise.
still being held
in rigorous
confinement
he finally
yielded
to the value
of the treatment
he received,
the condition:
approved.

NaPoWriMo day twentytwo

he observed the monotony of life;
regretted the necessity of decorum.
 
official documents were sent,
the records full of expenditures.
 
Edward was never permitted
to take any part
in the mediation of a peace—
one of the hardest things to bear.
 
he does not seem to have complained,
loaded with reproaches.
 
*
 
he demanded always that
no mention of her was permitted
in his presence. he had been
accustomed to excess, needed a change
of air, regularly celebrated.
 
Edward conceived a proposal,
the idea warmly and unanimously
slipping through hands accustomed
to the habit of finding excuses.
 
*
 
one thing is certain:
her presence was a costly luxury
when needed
(which happened regularly)
he made pilgrimages to her
rising from the suggestion of trust
between the two
Edward had been inclined
to the idea of power,
the faintest scent of cruelty.
it hardly needs saying, therefore,
that on the occasions of his visits to her
he would fall into the habit of not going.

NaPoWriMo day twentyone

it is probably incorrect
to say there were stirrings
(continuously).
 
he was a man
with an eloquent tongue,
a system of whispers.
 
he waited for a signal,
known in secret.
 
the signal came
in time,
brought many changes—
 
hard laws imposed
became almost commonplace
(according to authorities).
 
*
 
all the records of the day
suggest stirrings under the surface,
the habit of assembling wrongs.
 
a man of fine and fine courage
could open the prison.
 
this was planned.
 
who refused to accept
laws formed themselves
and lived.
 
ownership increased
by leaps and bounds.
 
circumstance
became most pronounced,
a remedy for evils.
 
*
 
that labouring
lacked organization.
 
circumstances
seem to trace back
to one man
 
he was persuaded to believe,
the word was clear
 
(but that story
does not belong here)
 
death brought many changes
in conditions. so many
fell easily into immoral ways
 
so involved in the commonplace,
a complete ignorance
about everything,
nature a plague.

NaPoWriMo day twenty

about shrines:
a very strange
superstition
 
confessors
performing
at all hours
 
devotedly,
but uneasy
 
*
 
that particular day
nothing seemed to have
any beneficial effect
 
to supplement
his recovery
 
Edward loved devotedly
 
*
 
finally
they came to the last
resort
 
supplications
filled the air
at all hours
 
more effect
than effort
 
poor successors

NaPoWriMo day nineteen

The fool, looking about him
in surprise, saw the year end
in defeat and humiliation.
On this occasion,
with very few in attendance,
he would be called destined—
history encountered.
“A guest of gossip”
Resident of the tall cities
of the plains.
 
*
 
Edward saw the year end in a truce—
a great victory. He would, in time,
come to anchor. Awaiting
the arrival of a guest, Edward
enjoyed as much comfort
as could be found.
He liked to live well,
to sit down at tables
groaning with good things,
to sleep in the softest of  beds.
 
*
 
brilliant victory
and destruction.
Edward could not
capture either.
finally, he concluded.
he uttered his first
feeble sounds of life,
would, in time, corrupt
this history. Edward
took a considerable time
awaiting the arrival of wealth,
a high degree of luxury.
Would write later:
among these who abused
strength given them,
this was true:
the wealthy habit
was usually lived above.

NaPoWriMo day eighteen

iniquity was slow

but in time

began to display

stayed to punish

then ravish

the young

who have all

the instincts

of a victim

rumours to draw

the unfortunate

into a trap

Edward had been able to escape
through kindness, the story
kept as a guest.

*

concerned, the cloak of their iniquity
was torn from them. all refused to attend.
the absent formed an alliance.

who decided to strike back boldly.
selecting as victim, Edward, still alive.

Edward was still in captivity
with the use of this rumour.

where he remained.

*

Wrath, in time, was on display;
stayed to allow time to punish
the absent, ravage opposition,
form resistance to the favourite.
There had been strange rumours
circulating. The story
had been able to escape.
Substantial evidence
came to light.
Documents were discovered.
Kept. Remain.

NaPoWriMo day seventeen

The first place had been stolen.
There were witnesses,
a way of dealing with cases
of this kind. Evidence was produced;
instructions for his life.
 
Who had tried to take his life?
Proud and quick of tongue,
certainly, he now took advantage
of the opportunity.
 
There does not seem to have been
a formal declaration of war.
Edward wrote letters.
 
*
 
Who had confessed?
The key witness
disposed of, evidence
was produced
in disguise.
 
A companion of Edward’s
tried the oldest witchcraft,
but few people believed.
Edward did not accept
anything.
 
              Now firmly convinced,
Take it! was the advice.
Who believed?
It is true.
 
*
 
The old man had succeeded.
The woman had been a companion
of Edward’s; received him
 as an old friend. He had made
many enemies. Certainly,
he was in a frame of mind
to preach action.
He poured into the ears
a prediction: it is true.
This kind of talk served
the resolution of hostilities,
after many starts and stops.
Openly declared his influence.

NaPoWriMo day sixteen

Edward had been left intact
as bait. Neglected.

 
Tired bones kept him in bed,
impatient at the delay.
Hidden.
What followed?
He had to choose
too soon, waited too long.
 
From his place
of concealment
he watched.
 
*
 
to draw attention safely
was not an easy matter.
he gambled accordingly.
without as much as a shout,
emerged.
              he had to succeed
in destroying a small part
of the structure,
to weaken it
faster.
fearing to face
any form of demonstration.
 
*
 
How much simpler to destroy!
What followed was a test:
he had to choose the right moment.
 
He had patience as well as judgement.
From his high place he watched.
Nothing had been done.
 
Still, no sound during the night.
Such a formidable host.

NaPoWriMo day fifteen

They drew up a list
of grievances.
Absence was demanded,
the imposition of
high-tempered
consideration.
Never again.
A conclusion
had been reached.
He was persuaded
to execute
a settlement of debts
and ceased
to be included.
 
*
 
under the leadership
who had been appointed
he agreed to stipulations
 
it was clear, of course,
that to assent would be
to impose consent
without delay
 
the starting point
of all of this
open disobedience,
the determination of will
 
the war was over
proven as inconclusive
he found himself relieved
 
*
 
Edward objected:
confirm the terms
of the great charter
agreed to sign his name
 
then Edward would establish
a new conception,
a personal starting point
of the utmost importance
 
forget the difficult debt.
in return, done,
he found himself.

NaPoWriMo day fourteen

who attended
all that brilliant company
had the misfortune
of the distant future
 
on the surface
knowledge paused
 
observing the legend
may have acquired
some question
 
the chief evidence
significant
 
in all such tales
inventing incident
 
others contended later,
theory based on contract
 
allowed to be
 
*
 
It may be granted
that she was beautiful,
the accessories she wore
the best: garter, silk, jewel.
In full knowledge
he paused.
The lady in question
had  entered a tournament
in which delights
and Edward’s passion
was the work of writers.
Still, others contended
that the story
was based on beauty.
 
*
 
it happened
during the dancing.
Knowing
to whom I belonged
feeling paused
to lay at his feet.
Honi soit qui mal y pense
[Evil to him who evil thinks]
said in the hearing of all.
The best historians
have title and motto:
question, fact, idea.
Who tells the story
of identity?
Some said it was
obviously property;
no one could think ill of
the story
married to a great beauty.

NaPoWriMo day thirteen

in his mind,
the first few moments of conflict.
 
realizing the battle was lost,
he continued
 
slow in retreating,
the issue still undecided.
 
now too proud to fight,
or too sensitive
 
free of rage.
indeed, a miracle.
 
*
 
Later, discovering
whose body it was,
his skin jubilant,
he burned.
 
Content, and
slow in pursuit—
a course made easier
by eagerness.
 
Sensitive to the possession
of personal action,
the safe retreat
into approval.
 
From every thicket
the songs
seemed to rise
higher now.
 
*
 
The self-laudatory note
he would send
was divided as souvenir.
 
Lost, he gave orders
to retreat.
 
A letter reached him,
acting as absence.
 
Cautious with victory,
the pursuit of tradition
made easier by eagerness,
 
made use of possession
to join in the hunt,
a promising hand.
 
Once proud lives,
seldom free,
were stained with blood.
Rise higher.

NaPoWriMo day twelve

second choice
had never been reconciled
 
a romantic figure
without consent
 
falling in love
completely and violently
 
skeptics declared
this was all a ruse
 
Edward had other plans
 
*
 
Who is known?
In history,
as contracted,
the story instructed
the public eye,
to cover up
with no regard
to love—
destined to die.
So little reconciled,
the decision
in favour
of power.
 
*
 
Had never been
and had been
known.
The story
(the first time)
instructed.
To abduct, again,
the public fact
destined
to die violently.
In the struggle
of lineage.
An excuse
summoned.
Edward’s power
sent into exile;
the reversion
of the crown.
Reported quietly.

NaPoWriMo day eleven

content
to deal only
with his mind
and his pen
 
*
 
the wealth of questions.
time would command translation.
 
*
 
treading over
the borders
occupying
his services,
the labour
closest to
his heart.