The Steadfast Warrior

The Steadfast Warrior

for A.W.E

The heart speaks

When the tongue cannot,

Unburdened by time, or space, or place,

Or thought.

Its language flows in streams

From star to star, I think,

From heart to heart

In deep, mysterious ways.

Your words grow clearer now,

You and the one you journeyed with,

(She of the silver tongue)

Who braided words together,

Letting them fly

Like darts, like arrows,

Like brightly colored birds,

While you stood silently beside.

You spoke a language all your own

Through your eyes, your deeds,

Through the wisdom in your hands,

Those hands!

Which gentled animals and children,

Fashioned delicate bits of feathers, beads and string,

 Fired rifles, carved wood,

Swung a pick ax against the rocky land.

And though your words were few,

With one small smile, I knew you knew

All I wished to hide!

Ashamed, I was not worthy of your integrity.

Steadfast warrior,

Your sturdy shoulders bore so much

In silence.

Battered by many blows

Along the path,

Still you rose, again and again.

And now your heart, set free,

Speaks in my own.

Together with she who stands beside

You light a pathway

Through the stars

For us who come behind.

You carried me then, and carry me still,

And now I carry you as well.

You gave us life, and love, and name,

You the candle, she the flame.