Truth of Blood

-

Half alive I walk the world

Going through the motions

Waiting for chance to come

For the bitter blood to flow.

-

When the steel is drawn

Does Odin come

And fill my soul with rage

The howling wolf to slake his thirst

In the bitterness of blood.

-

Only in the direst need,

For my nation, or for my own

Tell myself I hate the need

But the truth I surely know.

-

When death comes swift

Does Odin come

And fill me with his skill

To match my will with death herself

And win life from the blood.

-

I hope to never need my skills,

I say, and thus I lie

For the truth is smiling through the blood

In the battle come alive.

-

Half alive I walk the world

Like a sword restless in sheath

Dreaming of the next time drawn

Of the blood and sweet release.

-

© 2007 John T Mainer, 17 February 2007