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Challenge of the Week CX
A Time of Triumph. Perhaps it's a small victory, an itch scratched. Perhaps it's the conclusion to a long and arduous struggle. Write about triumph. Fiction or non-fiction, poetry or Prose.
FamilyMan
56 reads

The Flickering

(I am a Man, afraid) I am a Man, afraid

(As I stand alone) As I stand alone before the bridge

(and watch my comrades fade) I watch my comrades fade

(through the arms of embracing mists) Through the veil of their concealing gloom

(I am now only part of their past)

(As I watch the sun drop toward night) While the sunlight flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, forlorn) I am a Man, resolved

(As I brace myself against this burden) As I stand alone before the bridge

(to guard the way Home) I turn my back on Home

(I have only myself to damn or cheer) And hoist my shield with trembling limbs

(Because the sun will never rise for me again)

(As I’m cleansed by the dimming fire) While the gloaming flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, resigned) I am a Man, appeased

(As fear stalks me hungrily) As I stand alone before the bridge

(For the gift of hope is only mine to give) I watch the eons flicker past me

(Though the memory of a mother’s hand) Though the touch of loving parents

(Is a balm to bruised shoulders)

(As the earth swallows the fading day) While the torchlight flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, unbroken) I am a Man, unbowed

(As I square myself to face the rush) As I stand alone before the bridge

(I watch my foemen come) Destiny reaches for me with eyes aglitter

(Their host of spears, piercing the night) While the silvery edge of its derision

(Stabs hungrily at my courage)

(As the long dark reaches for me) While the twilight flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, reforged) I am a Man, renewed

(As I raise my shield to take their blows) As I stand alone before the bridge

(I name my foes clearly) I call unto the crowding host

(For I will not fall here, unremembered) And taunt them with my father’s voice

(Because I am immortal)

(As stars fill the sky) While the gleaming flickers, and is gone

(I am a Man, released) I am a Man, released

(As I sweep my blade across their line) As I stand alone upon the bridge

(I think only of my duty) Now I serve only the beauty I’ve squandered

(And nothing shall fail here but my fears) While my courage beats their breath away

(Because I am unencumbered by doubt)

(As my light pulses toward midnight) Then the starlight flickers, and is gone

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