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.

NaPoWriMo day ten

this breathing
spell. under
his command
the gateway
to action,
the command
advanced
by slow stages.
a miracle
in any sense
of the word.
how far would
courage go?
 
*
 
a lack of energy
in gathering,
he found himself
moving rapidly under
the command of himself.
he had grown
weary of discomfort.
what followed
experience
was limited
to his own reckoning.
brave, but not trained.
their nature fought,
their spirits opposing.
 
*
 
Gathering the common men
he found a strong position
near the gateway to himself,
fighting all his discomfort.
 
What followed was limited,
consisted largely of the lost.
Who still wanted to fight?
The word was brought back.
They depended on old weapons.
Who went into battle?
Enough. 

NaPoWriMo day nine

discontent meant a martyr’s death
he breathed out.
committed to the teachings
of scholar of priest
he saw possibilities:
a protecting hand
purified and strengthened.
they were as one,
connections he did not hesitate to place
in opposition to himself.
it was an aggressive action
to belong.
 
*
 
After he breathed his last,
retribution reached out.
By that time he was searching
eagerly to counteract
his arrogance and disregard,
a curious combination,
always ready.
Working closely together,
they were as one
in opposition to his
unauthorized demands.
 
*
 
He would have faced the issue
with courage, even peacefully.
 
It would verge on the absurd
to say “this eloquent politician.”
 
He was searching for issues
he could use to establish rights.
 
Once supremely able
in the art of debate,
 
he said what many had been thinking
boldly and publicly.
 
Edward did not hesitate. He would not agree,
averse to continuous demands.

NaPoWriMo day eight

demand caused his blackest rages.
the mouth of Edward remained
a foolish one.
 
The curious part –
the story conveyed
(the first stages)
 
young Edward was summoned,
compelled to obey:
 
proceed at once,
strip each day
and wade out
into the water
as a daily ritual.
 
*
 
He wanted
the mouth of the queen,
and her royal possessions.
 
The demand
was strategic.
 
Selected as mediator—
most unwillingly—
Edward was seized
(so it is said).
 
It is not recorded,
this humiliation.
 
*
 
However made,
a demand
contains death.
It had remained
of the first importance,
the curious story
selected by the victim
of indignation:
Thou wouldst!
cried the king
Thou? Who hast?
The punishment fell.
He was banished.
Obey the sentence.
The designated
experience.

NaPoWriMo day seven

the opportunity
of her beauty
grasped
 
any indication
of interest
room for escape
 
escape would have been
impossible
 
reports of escape
important and difficult
to believe
 
easy enough
to have a cell door opened
and a corridor kept clear
and to receive a guest
 
risky but possible
easy pressure
brought to bear
 
*
 
years of
the peak of her beauty
 
there is room for speculation
 
(he did; most boldly)
 
his life had been seized
he would take this risk
 
it is not difficult
to believe fine dark eyes
 
occasion to receive a guest
a liaison under pressure
 
it was customary
to celebrate with much
eating and drinking,
drugged,
              fallen.
 
a complete silence
after partaking
of the feast
 
*
 
She was still
a woman of loveliness
and charm,
impossible for him
to escape.
He had such assistance.
 
Why risk
his life? He was not
in a position
to take this risk.
 
Emotions aroused,
it is easy enough
to have a door open.
 
It would be risky
but possible
to carry on a liaison
under the eyes of
the night, supplies
for the occasion
supplied, a passage
found lying,
sudden slumber.