Battle

I blinked
my strength faltered
and in one trusting moment
one of many in my life
I felt the insertion into my back
of the blade of your knife
and I went down again
so it was there that I be
lay my sword
at your feet
the battles done
I admit my
defeat
with my
head
bowed
but
here
and
on
my
sword,
I do vow
the battle is only
done for now
because I feel that
familiar tingle up my spine
of my strength crawling up
to pull from my back
the blade of your knife
raise my head and stand up tall
just as I have each time before
once more, I shall pick up my sword
and prepare for another battle
because it takes more than one
to win or lose a war

~ M. Sneed