The Art of Words: “Sentinel At the Ready” and “Nature Ablaze”

Prompt

by Brad Wall

Ah! a fool’s errand

As all say ’twas!

At this point awarded of little land

Here I stand abuzz

As ready as a bowen

Can be! Sent as a plunderer

Coming from vaster places far from the homely rowen.

But alas! A nectarean blunderer 

I am; a true chain-armored thunderer 

Upon this hollowed isle

In which the remains of revered ships now lay as an exalted pyle.

These bones entombed within vessels taken back to the depths of such darkness

Where well-tread sea-farers shall last longer

Than mine own starkness

Of ivorine bones left by such a dutiful yet plebeian warmonger.

Thus, let none tremble at such desolate sights

Or bellicose men trample the temples of wights;

Only the precious and pure shall know of knights 

And those akin to those noble spirits—sentinels—spirits like thyself

That shall lead the truly good toward heavenly lights!