Shields

Against the spreading storms of savagery
that shower their peril upon a throng
dwelling beneath the shade of a flag,
such fervent ardor consumes the heart
to forge an impenetrable shield as shelter,
protecting and guarding,
ever preserving from the volatile whirlwinds of fate.

In the passion to survive
warrior and tyrant often dwell in same crowns,
using the saber to hack at enemies,
but wounding its charges in the process
until freedom and peace are sacrificed
unto the vision that makes kings become a stalking surgeon
carving out cancerous threats
imagined dwelling in the lives
under its control.

Prowling as a predator,
irony of defense mutating the spirit
when leaders are possessed
by an obsession for the cruelty they despise.

Somewhere in the cries inflicted
is summoned a conscience
that just can’t endure hearing the pain,
lowering its cover to ease the misery,
mind gaining a soul that seeks to care,
losing in part the lion’s fangs,
love flowing in the process
sadly often dying
when bleed by intruders who still
are dominated by lusts of their own
iron vision canopies.