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.