Ursus

Canto the Fifth
Song of a War Dance

There are such tales in ancient lore
of comrades locked in battle
of Celtic heroes’ fights at fords
for honour and for cattle.

Whilst I admit, those clear the heights
of these, my lowly verses.
I still commit to song the Fight
of Wanderer and Ursus.

We’d left our Wandering-Hero Boy
bent to his task (I think!)
He’d just gulped down; though not enjoyed:
a strong and hearty drink.

At first the liquid burned his tongue
and scorched his very innards
It then recoiled from deep within
his organs to his gizzards!

His eyes, just momentarily,
went blind ~ like in the sun.
He felt all his extremities
go slowly, strangely numb.

The bar room wheeled. He went insane
Dumbstruck at what was happening
It felt quite like his shrinking brain’s
encased in bubble-wrapping!

The barfly leader caught his arm
before he hit the floor.
“The time has come for you to charm
Old George. So there’s the door!

But don’t forget that post the fight
There is a maid within
You’ll have to meet for stirring night
of forced, unbridled sin!!”

With these dread words and cruel tones
Our Wanderer was ejected
And left to face the Bear alone
Forlorn and so dejected.

The draught had spilled its full effect
into his clouded mind.
The stars seemed, to him, to be flecked
with visions: ill-defined.

Yet in the distance, he could hear
a savage battle-cry
And then, before him stood the Bear
with blank and savage eye!!

Old George, with terrifying glance
drew in a mighty breath
Then leapt into his primal dance
of war and brutal death.
 

Within the bar room’s shadows long
The landlord called ‘Last Orders’
The barflies waited for the song
of George’s night of murder.

They didn’t have too long to wait
to hear that song so mangled.
As boy and Bear met at the gate
and there became entangled.

Your poet needs to take a rest
To much has he alluded
Of course, for last he’s kept the best
when all… shall be concluded…