Character Flaws

    The knight who raised his sword to the winds of change.  Their gales, melancholy abrasion, whisk the chaff.  His soul, a husk, carries far, his mind left to derange.  Was this quest for a grail or wizard’s staff?  His friends but blood upon his plate, woeful crimson stain.  His shattered heart, devout organ of might, now quivers insane.

    Raging leviathan, whose tide broke the shores.  What greater fiend could rend your scales?  From such wounds now your lifeblood pours.  Oh Jörmungandr, by foe or by self, your strength fails.  Your brood reduced to flotsam, but rock tossed seafoam.  Desecrated pride, honor bereft, still will you roam?

    Young scholar of tomes grand and great.  Did your ally, fiercest knowledge, turn and betray?  Did you dip the quill and desire to be an author of fate?  Yet now it seems you, lofty minded, were but its prey.  The pages you penned, gilded comedy, a fictitious story.  Truth’s ink congeals, maroon and gory.

    Youthful soldier who took up arms.  Beckoned by old men, who sat fat and gorged, you gave your life.  Did they dispose you like refuse for mere baubles and charms?  Then they, gluttons and derelicts all, cast your brother into the same strife.  Oh brother, beaten and battered, who wears two men’s scars.  Succor teased, and now, bedded under bridge, you watch the cars.

    Lover unrequited whose chest did ache.  Was your amore but infatuation, superficially created?  Haughty minded, for wisdom deprived, you laid everything at stake.  Then, too late, your treasured rose, your safe strong arms, did fall for one vile or loathsome charmer hated.  Oh admirer kind, who traded hope for sorrow.  Does a broken heart have room to grow?

    Friend so dear, who left self forgotten but for others.  Where did your life wander, your plans and dreams?  Did you lay it all aside for those you call brothers?  Oh selfless, tender giver unthanked, trampled and advantage taken it seems.  You faded, like ether dissipated, into the fray.  Perhaps, when heavens align, you’ll be praised one day.