Battle of the Blockade

Set aside your trepidation

and fight with this generation,

sharpen your blade

to steal veneration

by clean crusade,

yet quick defeat

leads to heady retreat

to arm stations

in the city’s blockade–

no two-edged sword

cuts backward

in an expert’s hands

but shame

slays cities

asunder–

so give your final standing warrior

most divine oblations,

hang all hopes on

dueled negotiations

and when the warrior falls

and the enemy

claims cloth congratulations,

pray the parapets

of midnight

withstand devastation;

crucial crossbows

falling in the mire

can’t climb out

to save you now,

so save your selves

you suds and knotters,

save each other

dawns and stutters,

run from the tumbling ramparts

guard the sheep

hold up flags of fleece

as a last surrender

so the conquering army

might keep you for

their scene of celebration

before tearing your city

like thunder.