" ELSPETH " ~ warrior of God

Even her very name, "Elspeth" meant, Chosen By God
She had to stop and pray, for today her sword was more than broad
The sight before her struck Elspeth like a blast of rancid blood
She gaped at what she had done in disbelief, standing still in the bloodied mud
As if it were inconceivable, unendurable, ~ her shoulders sagged
Her heart was divided over what she'd done, and what she had yet to do
The field was littered with hundreds and hundreds of bleeding soldiers crying
But God had spoken to her, "You must kill them, even as they lay pleading!"
She seemed to lack the language for what she felt and saw
Her entire armies eyes were upon her, conveying gratitude and awe
She looked out at the one man she had considered the true instigator
Her ears acutely aware of the whimpers from those who'd underestimated her
She saw the cause of All of this, crawling, dying, crying, toward her
She composed herself, moved slowly, unsheathing the silver knife
In her mind, she kept re-living the heads and arms falling, and denying
That the blood soaked field of battle, was indeed a river of bloody death
And that the sword of God was not a legend, but a blade used at God's behest
Elspeth's gaze grew steely as she knelt before the dying man
She raised the jewel encrusted blade, with both hands above her head
The entire breast plate of her golden armor was bloodied and glowing crimson
All of this had been accomplished with the loss of just one division
Her enormous army began to cheer, a cheer of religious victory
She gripped the knife, but the movement drew a final gasp painfully
She flicked it and stood, swiftly wiping and sheathing her Holy knife
She turned and addressed her men, " 'Tis a sin to take a life,
But when done in the service of God's good and noble sight of worth
We fight for victory, and someday Peace On Earth!"
Her legions bowed in honor as she strode between them, without a sound
She mounted her silver steed, felt a whisper from God's sweet breath......" Proud!"
Then, she stormed into the distance
Followed by her color guard
And a shimmering
Silver cloud...

Tony Taylor.  (Chicago)