In the city-state of Lycia,
in a country we now call Greece,
there lived a monster mostly forget
they called it the Chimera.

Two heads, one breathing flames,
it was the combination of three beasts.

Finally slain by Bellerophon,
or that's what Homer says,
there were many
who came before the warrior
ridding on mighty Pegasus.

This their tale.



Two-hundred.
Two-hundred and ninety-nine
of my brothers have fought before me.
Two-hundred and ninety-nine
of my fellow warriors  have died.

Today I go out before the beast.
Only my shield and weapon at my sides.

I fight today with the trident,
others came to face it
with the sword.
I do not know if that will make the difference,
if it will be how I win
or if I will only die faster than the others.

But I cannot
entertain thoughts of it killing me.
Not now.
Not as I prepare to slay the thing ravaging my town.
my people. my family.

I will **** this thing.
I must.


Dawn is rising.
I kiss my wife and son farewell
as I step forward to defend them.

I can hear its harsh bellow in the distance
as the Chimera makes its way
towards my home.
The sound causes the babe to cry.
Its ironic symmetry is not lost on me,
but I must go forth.
I have to protect. defend. slay.

Walking forward,
weapon clasped in my hand
I prepared to meet death:
mine
or his.
One or the other
would occur today.

I am a simple soldier,
prepared to meet my destiny
hero or warrior.
Glace down at my shield:
Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς
Either with this or on this,
come back victorious.

Words to live by
and die by.
Honour is all.


How will this begin?
Best to strike first
Strike hard
Strike fast

Feint right
Rush left
Miss whispered breath
by mere seconds
before fire is released.

Battle continues
until Apollo's chariot
is directly above us.

This thing is larger than any I have ever faced.
But I can conquer it.
I can be victorious.
Return with your shield or upon it.
I will face my family again
with my shield in hand.

Stab up
Step back
I cut one of the necks,
the one which breaths no fire,
but it is not a killing blow.

Once more I stab
but with its next strike,
fangs have pierced the
armor
directly above
my heart.

Knees hitting the ground,
my hands clasp the earth while
blood and sweat run down my body.
Taking another shallow breath,
flame engulfs me,
and I become
three-hundred.

The Creator has provided a wondrous plan
        for a couple united together
in holy matrimony.
Within the Lord's scriptures,
Paul was inspired to write
in a letter to the Ephesians
"Submit" and "Love".
Not just for the woman,
the man is told as well,
make this a partnership
   with your God.
Like the trinity, there are three:
the husband, the wife, and God
   as the head.

Give thanks, brothers and
sisters too. Give thanks mothers
and fathers for your
freedom comes from the brave troops:
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines.

Soldiers who die,
have fought for you willingly.
They left all they knew,
picking up camo and gun,
training for hours on end.

Give thanks as you sit
surrounded by family and
friends, for those who are
right now in combat, who are
awake, wishing they were home.

Knowing Alexandria would burn,
I would save her library.
I wouldn't warn of the incoming invasion,
for that could change too much.
But swiftly, before the war began
and the fire broke out,
I would take as many scrolls as I could,
and hide them, safe nearby.
All the knowledge, history, maps
secured.
How would our view of history change?

Just one, brief look.
How bad could that possibly be?
Just one, brief look.
It couldn't change my life's outlook;
don't have to open door to see,
as tempting as that though may be:
just one, brief look.

A child's heart breaks
for the first time,
when Simba sees Mufusa die.
He learns to grow and face
          his past:
Fighting his demons
and falling in love.
Macbeth with lions.

Asked the baker to his wife,
"Sky was filled with light,
know you what occurred last night?"

Looking at him, she replied,
"Beauty fell in love with Beast."

Gathered at the castle now--
hall filled with dancing--
cheers sang though the crowed room:

"Tale as old as time, song as
old as rhyme, Beauty and Beast."