Esther K Bowen

What dragons have you slain, my knight?
If thou would win my hand.
For I am not a maiden
To be moved by easy men.

But a princess of a kingdom bold
And a bloodline long and true
And I seek a higher calling
Far beyond the fast and new

When serpents rear their poisoned heads
And conspire to bring low
Do you stand with all your heart and mind
With the last strength of your soul?

Or do you bow to whims of chance
To boastful pride and wrong
Does the fallen man foretell the course
And lead your passions on?

What dragon’s blood is on your shield
The helm that guards your head
In your war to master sinful self
What resistance blood was shed?

Should I be moved by lesser cause
By words like clouds and wind
Should the garden see no rain or fruit
Once you let the foxes in?

For I have slain my dragons too
And some I battle still
A bloodied princess more like salt
Than a city on a hill

For each serpent is a hateful spawn
Of that great dragon long ago
Eve’s daughters learn the heart has cracks
Their enemy well knows

Do you know to wake each morning’s dawn
To gird your armor on
Subdue the lurking serpent
Until every day is done

If thou would live an easy life
Turn away from me in peace
My Lord’s kingdom fights a bitter war
‘Til creation be released

And I will fight alone unless
There be a warrior bold
Who knows how to slay his dragons
‘Til the story’s all been told