White Horse Remix

“Sow them steady,” Eldred, sweaty,
Tells his eldest, eager, ready
Arcing ‘round with careful measure,
       Drifting clouds of coppered seed.

Rambling off then to the edges
Underneath the shaded hedges
Gaining to the rustic pleasure,
	Brimming bowls of honey mead.

There he rested as he chided
Jokingly the lad derided
Raw attempts and awkward strewing,
        Inward glowed a waxing pride.

Eldred dozed beneath the flowers
‘Midst the blazing sun-baked hours,
‘Till a far-flung haze spied brewing,
	Traveler of turning tide.

High above a cloud drift lofting
Sudden o’er the sun went wafting
Shadows running through the grasses,
	Eldred felt his spirit sour

As the horseman reached the pasture,
Treading like a dark disaster,
Eldred knew he’d not surpass these,
	Tidings of a drearing hour

“Alfred thou dost bring a ruin,
On this farm a sore confusion,
In thine eyes a headwinds dooming
	Present green and growing life.”

Wearied from the miles counting,
Alfred sighs midst slow dismounting
Sees his friend the dread consuming
        In his heart three sons and wife.
 
“Brother, do I wish it ended
That our lands were full defended
All our foes in fast retreating 
	Leaving us to sow in peace.

Alas the truce is fast decaying,
Everyday the vandals slaying
Price of freedom bears repeating
	‘Till all wars shall ever cease.”

Eldred nodded slow and steady,
In his spirit, battle ready
Though in truth his heart was tearing
	Once again to leave his fields.

Alfred waited for his brother
Briefing sons to keep their mother
Striding out with sword and swearing,
	“Let us go to shatter shields.”