"Thou'st mention'd nothing wrong. In fact I think
perhaps there is a way to warn the town
if I should ride the road the couple days
required to announce within their square."
She stirs within his arms—seems hesitant— 50
before she slowly says: "Then go and do
just that to save thy secondary home."
Despite how terse and slow her words now are,
our Preacher dothn't seem to notice this,
continuing as otherwise he would:
"The problem's that I didn't leave the town
on best of terms, and if I show my face
it's possible—nay, definite—they'll hang
me by my neck before I say a word."
The Doll arises now and paces round 60
the room with pensive countenance again
alike to that she had when last they spoke
upon these pages, but she hid from him.
He sits up now at this and asks: "What's wrong?"
To which she frantic'lly begins t'explain:
"Ignore, forget, destroy what I have said
to thee today before this dialogue
that we're about to share in privacy."
He looks confus'd. "I do not understand—"
"Be quiet," says she, interrupting him. 70
She rubs her temples, focusing her thoughts
and calming down th'emotions that have flar'd
before she says: "I wish wouldst not thou go.
Just stay in town and preach. And stay with me.
I couldn't bear to lose my closest friend."
Our Preacher stands and takes her in his arms
and tries to palliate her fears with words:
"I understand that thou'rt afraid for me,
but I have dealt with worse and found success.
If I should go—and hark, I think I shall, 80
for such is right to do—I shall be safe.
Perhaps hyperbole did tinge my words
a more concerning tone than truly meant.
The town is not an enemy of mine;
my feud is not as awful as implied."
She shakes her head against his chest with tears
that form and streak across his breast to coat
the scars from th'instruments of tortures' blades.
"Tis not the town I fear. At least not full.
There's other ways that thou couldst lose thy life 90
YOU ARE READING
As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War
PoetryA troubled Pilgrim sets upon a road in search by sun and storm of paradise; a vain Pariah's banish'd from his home to render justice by the moonlit night: two individuals who share a flesh, each unalike in methods and beliefs, yet fated consequence...
8- ❂❂ -VI
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