Brave Imposter
By Sarah Ashwood
She clasped that sword, a father’s gift
Quite firmly in her hand
“Do or die,” she told herself
“It’s here I take my stand.”
By Sarah Ashwood
She clasped that sword, a father’s gift
Quite firmly in her hand
“Do or die,” she told herself
“It’s here I take my stand.”
Before, behind, and all around
The ranks were growing thin
Enemy fire cut down, wasted
All her fellow men
“Up to me, now,” she said aloud
“I’ll live to tell this tale!”
Closing eyes, she reached down deep
Within that magic well
A poor girl she, but legend’s lady
Of emperor’s tale and song—
On that day, it’s said that she
Confronted Death alone
The ranks were growing thin
Enemy fire cut down, wasted
All her fellow men
“Up to me, now,” she said aloud
“I’ll live to tell this tale!”
Closing eyes, she reached down deep
Within that magic well
A poor girl she, but legend’s lady
Of emperor’s tale and song—
On that day, it’s said that she
Confronted Death alone
All around, as comrades fled
This peasant stood affixed
Her father’s sword, the Dark One’s blade
Turned aside and nicked
A brave imposter, silly girl
She was never meant to war
But in hard times, the smallest can
Be worth a million more
So many a year, when they spoke
Of Eurica the brave
They told of how an unschooled lass
Sent Death into its grave
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A genuine “Okie from Muskogee,” Sarah Ashwood is a full-time college student working towards a B.A. in English from American Military University. Her short work and poetry have appeared in a variety of publications while her first book, a volume of poetry titled A Minstrel's Musings, was published by Cyberwizard Productions in April 2009. In 2010, Sarah’s Young Adult fantasy novel, Knight’s Rebirth, will be published by the same. Along with her cousin, Carol Green, Sarah is co-editor of the fantasy ezine, Moon Drenched Fables. For more information, please visit www.sarahashwood.com.
