Last week for One Stop Poetry, I wrote a poem about a knight leaving his lady. I wrote verse the following day that continued the poem. I asked my friend Sean Vessey if he would help me write the two poems into a piece of prose. We have written several things in Duet form. A Duet in writing is where one person speaks and the other person responds. It’s a fun way to write; I encourage others to give it a try. Would love to know what you think of this piece and the duet style as we hope to produce more and would appreciate the feedback.
Lady’s Knight
by Sean Vessey and Leslie Moon
I lie awake and hear the sounds.
My Knight prepares his war kit to go.
Men preparing to leave. In the darkest hour, they will proceed
His lips graze my face. I am despondent ~ he leaves me alone.
In frustration, I refuse to kiss my knight goodbye
How do I leave my darling to run into danger when all I desire is the warmth of her arms? How do I tell her that she is the sun and moon to me?
There is no sun nor moon nor stars as he departs on his steed.
Farewell giver of heart, my guide on the righteous path
I have no place to lay my head ~fair thee well
Oh my Lady Fair, my Princess of the Moon, I agonize to leave you alone without my lips
My gentle knight lover of my soul I feel your sorrow and want to hold you near.
Off I go, on my guard, so I may return to her loving arms.
Ride into the night my brave one. You forgot a kiss when you left. You have my heart guard it well
Our quest is perilous and long. Our journey hard, there lies our quest.
I dream frightful dreams. He enters the very jaws of hell. What to protect him but my love?
The beast, the vile dragon, rages burning the king’s towns. Dark consuming smoke rises in the distance. Ill tidings of things to come.
Dearest valiant one return to my arms. Do not be suffocated in the darkness be steadfast.
There is the beast dark and grim. Our archers spread out “fire“, arrows bounce off the beast. “Knights ready“ at the top of my lungs I scream ~ “archers fire“
My dreams of you falling have weakened me. I could not go on without you?
We charge ~ lances held high. A sweep of the dragon’s claws kills five stout-hearted men.
Darling, feel my shield protecting what is most valuable to me
My steed leads now as the dragon is blinded by arrows. His claws swipe at the air ~ my lance goes in past his ribs to strike true
The darkest part of night has arrived for us all. My darling, far from me, what shall I do for they have laid siege to the castle?
Other knights follow striking well~ the dragon falls on top of two brave knights~ he is slain
They take me. I cry into the evil clutches of the night. I ache for one more glimpse of you my darling
I feel no relief ~ My true love is in peril now ~ I sense it ~her soul calls to me “Help Me”
My love I am in anguish ~ cold ~alone
Knights, I must ride. My love is in danger
What will they do? I need a ray of light and you!
“We will follow soon, ride ahead to your mistress” My horse feels my need and rides like the wind
I call into the night hoping against hope
Limbs whistle overhead as I ride. The night urges me on.
They have driven me into the deepest despair. They tell me you are dead – my heart beats no more
Oh my love, hold my heart, embrace your hopes. I ride to your call
I am lifeless. I recoil at the thought or you no longer whispering my name under the stars
My love, my heart, hold true, I come
I am limp upon the stone. What is that sound I hear? “If only…” I weep
My Lady, My love ~I am here
What is that…? It sounds like my love. Alas now the wind plays tricks with my heart
My love? A bleak keep is there. I feel Her close
You are here. Our hearts call to each other. Come my darling~ my knight
I hear her forlorn cry ~ my resolve hardens~ those who hurt my lady will pay. I ride past the watchmen knocking them down. Into the keep ~ into the main hall ~ tense for battle
One exhausted Knight cannot possibly prevail against such darkness
The way to Her voice is clear. She is in the tower above
I hear heavy footsteps a voice my heart knows. He has come. Nothing matters in the world but us two. His lips on mine. Never leave my darling. Never depart
Others come, I hold her narrow door, with blade and shield
I am not afraid – he is my flesh. I will die by his side if need be
Never will we die together~ I fight~ we live for each other~ always in our hearts
He has defeated dragon and foe with one sweep of his courageous, brave heart
A sound and fury comes. The other knights are coming to our aid
He has confidence in his brother knights. He enfolds me in his arms, carries me to safety.
The Keep is ours. My love is safe. We are joined heart to heart.
As, I gaze into his eyes, I thank him with a lasting kiss. No more will we be parted
I kiss her as though it is our lips first meeting
The breeze gently plays with my hair as he sings to my heart
“My Lady”, I whisper with my heart, “my true love. I am yours always“
I beckon him into the moonlight . The two of us veiled in the mist of our desire
She is in his dreams dancing lightly across his sighs
…and a Tanka Attempt for One Stop Poetry Form
penned in moon dust 