Warrior at peace

Oils blade and shines armor

With a child's joy


Proud, emblazoned shield

Warding flies from ale hall hearth

Hangs impatiently --

Knows the worth of its clean face,

yet longs for an arrow's bite.


---


Smith of the fortress

Neither spear nor sword to whet,

shrugs and sharpens plow


Eager-burning forge


hungry for steel, hotter coals

Dreams of splendid works --

Endless ranks of gleaming steel

marching toward a righteous cause.


---


Archer veteran

Looses bodkin on black bear

Delights in its flight


The hard-headed shaft

Finds no mail to penetrate,

no plate to fracture --

content in its glorious shot,

but sure of worthier fates.


Penned by my hand on the 1st of Miraman, in the year 587 AF.