The Last Ride
by John Grey
Winds have changed direction.
Winds have changed direction.
His old horse bears him home,
one sore but uncomplaining step
ahead of encroaching shadows.
He tosses his broken sword into the lake
though no hand reaches up
to grasp it.
Autumn leaves have shed their color.
Moon begins to rise.
Breast-plate never felt so heavy.
Here is a man who once slayed dragons.
But it’s his heart that’s burned down to a flicker now.
If only the fates would allow
one last walk to Dromedere pond at sunset,
hand in hand with Elena.
But distance plots against him.
His battered armor freezes.
Each patch of ground could be his winter grave.
Death and darkness
ply their trade
beneath the twinkle of unfeeling stars.
He’s at the mercy of the one black knight
whose blade strikes from within.
AUTHOR BIO: John Grey is an Australian born poet. Recently published in The Lyric, Vallum and the science fiction anthology, “The Kennedy Curse†with work upcoming in Bryant Literary Magazine, Natural Bridge, Southern California Review and 2 Bridges Review.