Saga
A Thursday Prompt poem
© 2022 by Walter Reimer

Prompt: bold



Oh, let me tell you of a long-ago time
In the land’s age of bronze and gold;
When into this dark and lawless clime
Strode the mighty warrior, Irving the Bold.

Now Irving, I’m told, was a mighty man,
As tough and strong as a mountain’s root;
With a rugged visage and skin of tan,
‘Twas a pity he was less than four foot.

A dragon was sighted approaching the land
And the people cried out in great terror!
‘Woe is us!’ they all wailed in a fearful band
‘Doom is upon us, and that is no error!’

Then Irving stood tall, well, as tall as he could
And said, ‘Hear me, good people, don’t worry!
The dragon lies asleep, hidden in yonder wood
And there I’ll go, to vanquish him in a hurry!’

And the lord of the people and land came
Saying, ‘Great Irving, you are truly brave!
To bolster your arm, and gain you great fame
Please arm yourself with this glaive!’

But Irving demurred; ‘I need no great blade
Apart from my sword, all I’ll need are my wits!’
To the wonder of all, Irving then pinched a maid
And went out and got drunk off his tits!

So sozzled was Irving, that when the Sun rose
He almost couldn’t find the town gate!
Armored in mail, from his head to his toes
He staggered forward to go meet his fate.

There in the forest he met that old wyrm
And even the bravest would quail, I’d think;
“I’ve come to kill you, so don’t squirm!’
Said Irving, as he had some more drink.

‘Brave words,’ the old dragon grumbled,
And he drew himself to his full height;
The hellish fires in his belly rumbled
Fire to slay, and then barbecue to bite!

And Irving saw how the fire seethed
As he stood there, quietly drinking;
When at the instant the old wyrm breathed
He surely asked, “What was I thinking?’

The dragon breathed out, a wash of flame
And drunken Irving breathed out, too;
We never learned the dragon’s name
Or Irving’s last name, too.

The land is safe and at peace now,
With the embers of the woods long cold;
And children come and gather to know
Of the sad glorious tale of Irving the Bold.


end