-All Who Fall Are Not Forgotten-

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

War steeds stand
an endless sea
upon the land.
Breath steaming
in the early morning air
as warriors prepare for battle--

The deep belling of the horn
breaks over the field--
Loosing them
from their positions--

In a burst of motion
they pour forth
liquid in their strength.
The ground echoes
to the beat of hooves...
Battle is begun--

Ring-Givers lead the fray,
those oath bound
join with fervor,
as on this day
are oaths fulfilled--

The smell of blood,
of sweat,
lingers in the air--
Metal meets metal,
finds the soft flesh
that has been girded for war
as foemen clash;
finding each other,
locked in a dance of death
as intimate
as any courting of lovers--

Today will some father,
some mother,
lose a son--
Someone will mourn
for a brother--
Women will weep
for the empty beds
they will keep
in memory
of fallen husbands--

Over all the clamor
the Cry of the Raven rings...
And the eerie voice
of the Valkyrie sings--

Chooser of the Slain
is she,
as she points
her spectral spear
heroes fall
to ascend to Odin's Hall--
Ever onward she rides,
working woe,
controlling the rise
or fall
of the battle's tide.

Silence reigns
at battle's end;
among the fallen
survivors search
for Kindred,
for Allies,
for Friends--
Giving aid
where it can be granted,
to others,
easing suffering
by speeding them
toward their end--

Men mourn,
ravens cry raucously,
wolves
with night will feast,
and women weep--

Yet when the banners wave,
when the war horn bellows,
once again
will men
answer the call--

Defending hearth and home,
with hearts that beat
to the thundering horses feet--

Remember your heroes,
hold them high--
Give them honor,
for with it they die--

Light the fire
to send them on their way--
Flames burn bright,
lighting up the night
a glowing pyre
their reward,
to pave their way, toward
Odin's Hall--
All who fall are not forgotten--

© Ayla Wolffe