In free verse for a barbarian

Mikhail of the Kuma
fallen in Spring Crown Tourney, A.S. XLI

(in free verse for a barbarian)

A river runs through Germanic lands
carries Mikhail of the Kuma
fierce warrior of the barbarians
his armor gleams on golden skin
claw necklace and horse tail helm
reflect the lightning bolts
and bear’s head arms
he holds so high and proud
to Britain olde, to Corvus
and fair Bridget he draws nigh
his lethal glaive defending now
Caid’s most precious heart
he fights for consort
for king and queen
and kingdom
seven times fierce Kuma
strides to the field of honor
beats eagle, flame, crescent, and wolf
but falls to boar, then lion
conquered, this time,
yet never defeated

— Lady Catharine Hawkwod da Barbiano

... is the daughter of a 15th century English mercenary who fights with the Italian condotierri and married her off (quite happily) to one of his cohorts. When she’s not making rosaries or raising dogs, she occasionally writes Petrarchan sonnets in English — or free verse for barbarians.

Copyright

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