When bright stars get laid low by acts of God and men,
What heart will risk its exposed soul snatched from defeat?
Cherished clay foot idols let reins slip free from steeds,
Grey studs pastured join sheep as marks for wolven teeth.
Shunned women pay jade costs by default abandoned,
Practice courage dredged from deep wells of love betrayed.
Who enabled whose ruthless pride stripped bare, despaired
Expectations disappointed, spread red flesh flayed?
Spurred to ever nobler fights, by unjust rage lit,
My hot passion tempered in your cool eyes' snug fit.