Ashes of Dead Distant Stars
by sgholter
Beyond the reach of castle wall
Shadows, calloused hands shield tired
Eyes from the unrelenting sunlight
Burning red shoulders and humble
Harvests.
Plow for sword, horse for labour,
Opposite of knight and royalty.
Hands that only take life for nutrition
Wave back at the queen standing
In the cottage doorway, smiling.
Apron cape, head proud beneath the
Invisible crown of motherhood.
Needs no throne, a woman so strong
She never sits.
Life is perfect in the eyes and hearts
Of those content with little.
May lightning split the skies and water
Pour upon these fields.
Our gold is oat, we need no moat to
Protect the walls of our home.
No foe invades for so little.
Ashes of dead distant stars; this soil.
Watered with the sweat of generations.
I would fight for this land.
I do so every day.