This Traveler's Tale is the third one written in the collection and I really like this one very much. - poetheart 09/04/01
"The coward dies a thousand deaths-
The valiant dies but one",
Thus wrote the bard, and thus it is-
Beneath the watchful sun.
The Legionnaire with bloody sword-
Falls to Germanic hordes-
And laughs and slays an honor guard-
'Ere chilly Styx he fords.
The hunter finds himself at bay-
To savage grizzly bear-
And laughs, and cries, "A goodly day-
I guess 'tis only fair-For many of your brethren bear-
I to their deaths have harried;
'Tis only just that by your tusks
I'm into glory carried".In heat of battle you can tell-
The warrior from the knave-
He stands and does his duty-
And never thinks it brave.If I could have a single wish-
I'd like to die alone-
And lie upon the barren sands-
While buzzards cleansed my bones-And leave the thought in some maid's heart
He sought his Holy Grail-
And died the way he lived...Alone.
Thus goes the Traveler's tale.
by John R. Yaws