A Knight in Broken Armor
I'll prove myself to you;
just you wait and see.
I'll slay the dragon who
stands between you and me.
For much too long have I been a slave
to talons and to flames.
Why did it take a girl I wanted to save
to teach me fighting games?
I'll tear every claw from its wound,
and heal every charred and blistered burn,
to my defenses become reattuned,
and to new and deadly weapons turn.
Slipping a new-forged blade,
through its steely scales,
until it starts to fade,
until its life force fails.
Then before you I'll kneel,
awaiting acceptance or a blow,
and if you choose for me the steel,
then, at least, in freedom I'll go.
May 5, 1985
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