[Enigma]

~ Knightfall ~

To be a knight
of infinite resignation
or of faith sublime
dancing
transcending
the ascent and fall
the impossible
possible
and effortless
the elegance
a disguise
a bargain
between surrender divine
and absolution
unwilling to admit
or commit
but a hostage anyway
inhabiting the space
outside looking in
and inside gazing out
the bell jar
cloistering exquisite torment
pressed against the glass
palms printing an urgent silhouette
to beguile and distract
consoling the child's belief
that if his eyes upon her
somehow, she will not see
lies he tells himself
he risks it all
with wild and innocent abandon
and still
covets the shelter
the fragile hope
that he might torment her enough
she will offer the coup de grace
and deliver him
instead
she demurs
with the cruelest cut
of tender mercy
were she instead to cry and beg
Yes, yes, you must!
he would surrender all
tormented and free
the knight of infinity


~ enigma ~