Locked Inside Armor

Locked behind gates of secrecy; a double-edged sword casts its gleam like a mirror held in a young boy's hand in the middle of the minister's sermon
The flash reflects the winter's day sun as it is wielded, hand above head, whoops of passion bellow from frozen lips to travel eastward, floating in cavernous waves of sound
Shining metal slashes through crystal-tinged air, as if space and time the enemy, while others watch from the astral planes where they are bound, yet unharmed
Longing to run fingers over heavy armor, they cry out as if he may hear
Alas, sound waves flutter above his frequency; as the sword sheaths, he moves on

Over one hill, down the next, one foot is placed in front of the other, knee bent, heel raised
Locked out from the inside, the padlock swings against his thigh, outer, and behind
Near-hopeless determination carries him onward
Solitarily confined he maneuvers the maze as rocky terrain of icicles and slush become summer's finest hour, bursting with energy
Once, twice, he tries to communicate but frustration renders him mute, resigned
The silver suit that once protected and served, now his prison, the wizard long gone
The key tucked away, swallowed deep down inside

The night falls quickly through his visor, plucked berries pushed through punched holes to serve as the jelly to nuts-become-toast
water watched carefully as the helmet is submerged, fear becomes fascination as to how far he can go
"Let it rise, Roman, let it rise"
Considering suicide? he admonishes himself, selfishness will not get the task done, cowardliness does not make the man, relief will not lead to victory
Sweet vengeance, layered with justice, slathered in anger…slapped between two fists of steel

Hunger sifts with grains of illusionary grandeur, nothing to lose in a daydream's snare
He returns triumphant, back to the field, in Grandenderry -Home! Just a stone's throw from the farthest flag that flies his colors…in honor, of Him
Cheers rise like the wind of a hurricane, Challengers fail to reflect his steely gaze, Maidens smile behind cooling fans, one more beautiful than the last, awaiting return of their favors
Invariably the joust is won, flowers fall like raindrops, barreled ale bastes the mutton as minstrels sing His victory song
All is joyful, all is forgotten, he has never been fitted for armor

Through the haze a portal opens, the dream fades as he is gently slapped back to reality, irritably reminding him of the quest of escape
You are unbidden, let me be! Air quivers forms of smooth, perfect skin, molecular fingers stroke face-forged tin and
Quickly he is repentant, astonished then bereft as the rift melts in ragged edges around the astral presence, words seem to seep from the vision, sharp yet faint
Grandenderry…Grandenderry…turn around…runnnnn
As the nnn's fade to nothingness the Knight is momentarily stunned; the nearest oak takes the force of his armor as he flings himself against its trunk in temper
To tire at this juncture would be his undoing

He calms, resolve returns as sweet air filters through the hole become larger by his self accusatory tantrum
He breathes, soft and steady, actually attempting to whistle, the first step bringing him closer to Home
The sword is pulled from its catch and wields white lightning, flashing bright in the light of the moon,
While summer breezes turn crystalline He is watched, protected, guided by Her;
Astral or Aquestrian never to leave his side, caught in the web of nuclear masses she fights to deliver his life
And steals into the night to deliver in purpose -a Way- unto the spiritual servant
Grandenderry kitchens made into more than breadmakers, Answers to a keyless lock
His mission now, to wander, to thank and to repay in kind the punishable evil, and to never lose faith
In Visions. In Dreams. In Hope.