The Long Night

Life, I’ve found
Can change profusely
                With a tender touch

                Or sternness of Heart

I  waited

I watched as this warrior

Raised her sword, a wakizashi, I now saw
In clear aim of my neck

                                My spine

I wondered

                If I move, will she wait for a clear stroke or

                Will she behead me anyway?

 With every second her ego and arrogance commanded an audience

                My strength grew                          
                As if she heard my thoughts
                She hummed
                                    'Ah, ah, ah…don't get any grand ideas - you’re not going anywhere.’

She moved toward me

Growled
                ‘This is for my mother.’

Snapping the sword high

She let it fall in graceful silence
                I watched

                                Awestruck by its shine

                As it came to an abrupt end
                Against another's sword

A gentle, unassuming voice emerged as their weapons held in stalemate

‘Aries, I won’t let you do this.’

Aries – that’s it.

Ochre eyes

I swore I’d never forget
         I haven’t                                                                                                                             
These ochre eyes, however, are empty
They don’t belong to the woman who had been my love seasons and seasons past

Aries’ strength and will wavered at the stranger’s defense

‘Get out of my way Ocean Hawk, this isn’t your fight.’

‘No Aries, this is no fight at all.  This is murder.  You will yourself less of a warrior for pride in revenge? 
I won’t let you kill her.’

Aries held Ocean Hawk’s stare

Turned to me and promised
                ‘This isn’t over.’

She took several steps in retreat

                            

There, by the smoke of the fire
Aries transformed seamlessly into the Owl who had been my company in the desert     
              And flew away

The stranger came near               
She was young
                Younger than me

Stood there

Stretched her hand in peace

                'My name is Ocean Hawk.  I'd like to take a look at your eyes.'

                 Her voice, unlike mine, was gentle

'I don’t care who you are.  Step back.' I warned. 

Enraged

I was suddenly and completely filled with rage

She ignored me

Crouched down
Took her hands to my face
                 Tilted my head to her liking

                 So that it caught light off the fire

'You'll be okay.' She said as she rose to her feet. 
Her voice was quiet yet firm as she threw me a fine woolen blanket. 
'Drink some water.  Get some rest.  I don't care what you do after that.' 

She moved several feet away

Unrolled a similar blanket
With her back facing me she spoke

'If you leave in the night, Aries will kill you.  I suggest you stay.' 


to be continued...

I remain,

Lesley

Hallelujah Heartist