Calm Of The Stoic Fool

Calm Of The Stoic Fool
© Surazeus
2024 04 25

I respect with calm of the stoic fool 
agony of existence we endure 
for passion of this body we inhabit 
fuels our journey across waste land of fear 
on endless quest to find the Promised Land 
where we tend apple trees with cautious hands. 

Stumbling home to small village of his birth, 
Gubazes falls to his knees by the well 
and gulps sweet water from bucket of oak 
as friends and family gather around 
to express shock at sight of his bruised face 
till he lies gasping under apple tree. 

Running from loom where she weaves tapestry 
that depicts Jesus saving humankind, 
his mother embraces him as she weeps, 
then leads him to feasting hall by the hearth 
where he drinks juice she pours into his cup, 
and caresses his arm as he eats steak. 

Ten years ago when I left with my father, 
hauling wagons full of minerals we mined, 
we were ambushed in narrow mountain pass 
and though he fought with bravery he was killed, 
and I was sold to slave as janitor 
in court of Justinian in Byzantium. 

Escaping maze of golden mirrored halls, 
I fled into rugged mountain waste land 
where Thustra, wizard dwelling in deep hell, 
taught me how to forge metal into swords, 
so I labored in cavern of illusions 
transforming despair into beams of light. 

While searching deep in labyrinth of gems 
I found enormous egg of spottled stars, 
so I warmed its heart with flames of the Earth, 
and from its shell rose red dragon with eyes 
that blaze bright gold as sun that gives us life 
which leaped from my heart to destroy the world. 

Weeping bitter tears for child of my heart, 
whose life I nourished with blood of my soul, 
I notched in bow I carved from taut Yew bough 
arrow of justice tipped with gem of truth 
and fired it straight into heart of my dragon 
who fell wounded into my trembling arms. 

Placing both hands on shoulders of her son, 
Valeriana proclaims for all to hear, 
God has appointed you, my noble son, 
with power to unite our oppressed land, 
so I crown you new King of Lazica 
destined to lead our nation to victory.