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.