Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Legacy of a Cross


It's time to take the chains off.
The mails of steel have been worn long.
The shield is now a burden and a
Helmet obstructs the eyes from a hundred strong throng.

The army clamours and chants.
A hoard of barbarians with their swords and scimitars.
A lone man on a stand facing his last minutes.
Knight under the axe reaching untimely for the stars.

Head held high, his steed carries his mission back home.
While he prepares for his light to be extinguished,
His work incomplete will be carried on by others.
The square red cross on his chest will be a legacy that remained.






Thoughts : The poem is loosely based on the Knights Templar and the Crusades of the Middle Ages. The Templar Knights were the most famous and skilled fighting unit as part of the early Crusades. The organization was created around 1129 AD, officialy endorsed by the Catholic Church and survived for nearly 200 years until disbanded by Pope Clement V in 1312 AD under pressure from King Philip IV of France after which they were executed by their native countries. It is said that the order still lives among us secretly.




PS. This poem is for Prompt 198 : Knight of One Single Impression.





20 comments:

shail said...

That's very well done.

D2 said...

@shail : Thank you.

Jim said...

Nicely written, D2. It reminds me of our U.S. troups now coming home from Iraq. I hope every one of them feels like your knight.
Your words already are ingrained in my thoughts and will make themselves to the forefront of my mind as I now watch the news.
..

Aayushi Mehta said...

Wow, great poem. Recreates the war scenes perfectly. More so, loved reading about the Templar Knights.

New Blog name? Keep posting.

D2 said...

@Jim : Well, that's only half of what this poem is about, seeing as the great Templar Knights were severely murdered after returning home as well later. But it's nice to know that it touched you in such a way.

D2 said...

@Aayushi : Thanks a lot. Those knights were and possibly still are, legends of old. :)
Yeah, I changed the blog name sometime back. :)

Anonymous said...

I read about the crusades in numerous books, I remember Labyrinth being one of them. Made me want to believe they never happened, and yet they did.
So I instead believed in the Knights.

Lovely poem, yet again :)

D2 said...

@Antara : Well, whether we like it or not, the Crusades happened and the knights existed. It all still exists but it's all taken different names and forms. Religious war is a reality. I first read about the knights in The Da Vinci Code and got interested.
Thanks, Antara. :)

N.S.Kirti said...

"His work incomplete will be carried on by others.
The square red cross on his chest will be a legacy that remained."
very eloquent and moving words... awesome :)

D2 said...

@Kirti : Thanks. :)
This part of history interests me to no end.

Purba said...

Only the brave can look death in the eye....

Well expressed as always.

N.S.Kirti said...

hey, i nominated you for "versatile Blogger Award!" here is the post: http://versesfrommyheart.blogspot.com/2011/12/merry-christmas-and-ummmm-just-merry.html
:)

D2 said...

@Purba Di : The brave and the reckless and with those who have nothing to lose.
Thank you. :)

@Kirti : Thank you so much. :D

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

powerful.
wow.

Anonymous said...

yes it is, transforming itself into a powerful sect within several organizations, I enjoy reading about them as well, just like they say the black pope does not exist, phhhttt :)
happy gooseberry day!!!

http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/les-miettes-dun-passe/

D2 said...

@Summer : Thank you. :)

@lynnaima : Yes. I specially enjoy reading about the Masons and the theory that this sect has delved quite high up within it.
Happy Gooseberry Day. :)

Miss D said...

I stay away from all things religious, connected directly or indirectly.

Brilliant poem, though.

D2 said...

@Enchanta : I am not religious, but religion and all its history does interest me in a rather objective manner.
Thanks. :)

Maxwell Mead Williams Robinson Barry said...

love the title,
what a journey.

incredible story.
Happy Holidays.

D2 said...

@Morning : Thank you. The story is quite true. My portrayal of it is imagined.
Happy holidays to you.

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