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Stories / Stories / Garon E. Whited / Text 23 of 39 / Knight´s Reply

"Knight´s Reply" by Garon E. Whited

SciFi/Fantasy text 23 out of 39 by Garon E. Whited. ←Previous - Next→

Reply to whom? Bonus points for the correct answer.

←- I Can Hear You | Maedyn the Wise -→

Knight’s Reply

Gaily bedight, this gallant knight

Sets forth again to a noble fight.

Though wearied of this ancient war

He straps on the crimsoned blade

Gallantly lifted for the maid

And for honor, to be passed o’er

For one whose blade but catches light.

No knight in armor now will stand

At lady’s side, nor hold her hand

While all the world comes crashing down.

All they want are maidens, fair,

With flowers and ribbons in their hair,

Not a Queen who governs town

Or justly rules her own fair land.

“These are not knights!” the poet cries

Amidst the tears within his eyes.

“They wear the armor they should rue,

When nobility with unerring grace

Put such louts back in their place!

Not just armor—don’t be a fool

For noble words and hidden lies!”

Look beyond that armored skin

And see what truly comes of him.

Is this a man? Is he fair?

Does the light burn in his breast?

Does he know the truth of Quest?

To seek beyond the walls of air

And join—not bodies—but the souls within.

Love is the Quest! Not dragons slain!

There is no purpose seeking fame.

Only the love of a living heart;

There is the Quest for gallant lover:

To find, to win, to love the other!

But not all the wizards and their Art

Can look ahead and read her name.

←- I Can Hear You | Maedyn the Wise -→

Date	Name	Comment
7 Nov 2003	Ano Nymous	Loading... Nice poem. Hehe, guess your comment scared some commenters away. Reply? What reply? I don't see any, no vocal one anyway... well, maybe... Al right, no bonus points for me, give them to someone else, guess the poet could use them. Speaking about the poet... Nah, never mind, just speculations. grumbles about poets talking to themselves Garon E. Whited replies: "There I go, being intimidating again . . . I must admit, my picture is pretty frightening, but I didn't think it would really -scare- anyone. And the "Reply" of this piece is targeted at a work by fellow Elfwood writer Haley K. Hoekstra. Go look. Good stuff over there."
24 Jul 2004	Jamie A. Hughes	Loading... I just finished reading "The Mists of Avalon" and this poem instantly made me think of the last section when all of the knights go in search of the holy grail for something to do, some cause to serve. Complex emotion that is nicely portrayed in this piece. Well done. Oh, and "Twue Wuv" was a riot. I always remember that scene... "So twesure your wuv...Have you da wing?" "MAN AND WIFE! SAY MAN AND WIFE!!" Good stuff, that. Garon E. Whited replies: "does the dance Yes! Someone catches the reference! Rock on! Meanwhile, back at the piece . . . it took three complete drafts to get this piece the way I wanted it. Usually, it just winds up going from brain to fingers and -click-, there it is. It was tough sledding to get it this way--but I don't think there's anything about it that I'd change. Which is unusual. Normally, I can tweak -anything- I've written; you know, never -quite- perfect . . ."
24 Jul 2004	Sara Dryden	Loading... I do beleive that the knight is speaking to the queen that he must serve though he dost not want to. He wishes to escape battle and find his true love though he is bound to the queen because he is a night. Garon E. Whited replies: "The primary purpose of a knight--or, indeed, for any human being--is the quest. People need a purpose; without something to motivate and inspire, we're just bags of flesh that eat, sleep, and speak. The things that inspire us help determine who and what we are. In this case, it's true that the knight does not really want to -fight- anyone; he would much rather be off on his own Quest, after his own Grail--finding love--"Twue Wuv"--to make it possible for him to -be- the knight he knows he can be. So you are largely correct in your evaluation! (However, note that he is speaking to the Queen. Note what he says to her. There's more here than -just- that . . .)"
10 Jan 2005	Alinta Brown	Loading... Hey Garon. This struck such a cord in me. One of my hobbies is medieval recreation and the biggest (THE BIGGEST) pain I have with it is the guys who go into the ring with their shinning armour and it's just a sport. There is no pagentry. There is no lady fair. There is just NOTHING there. Vain ambition is what they seek. Seeing someone hit with finesseand skills can get rather boring when you are on the sidelines embrodiering. Garon E. Whited replies: "Bingo! Where are the garlands placed over the point of a champion's lance? Where is the scarf about the armored arm? What locket symbolizes the heart she has given to her knight, kept close to his own? There are no love-tokens any more, and something precious went out of the world with them. I think the guys to whom you refer may not have grasped that it's not about -winning-. It's about -participating-. What point winning if there is no joy in the doing?"
5 Feb 2005	Mercedes A Boggs	Loading... I really loved this poem. It seemed to capture the chivalry and the sacrifice of being a knight (but perhaps I'm mistaking your meaning). Either way, I really enjoyed reading it. 'Course, now I get to sit here wallowing in melancholy, lamenting over the loss of ideals. It was, nonetheless, worth it. : ) Garon E. Whited replies: "Rather than wallow, consider this: He sought a maid and she turned away--and there is no knowing who his True Love is, or where, or when (or if!) he will find her. Found your gallant knight? If not, it could be you! What's melancholy about that? (:"
9 Nov 2005	Dan Shevock	Loading... "lamenting the loss of ideals." as the previous commenter noted. I don't think we can live up to the ideals of chivalry in modern society. (we'd likely be thrown in jail the first time we took halberd to the one dishonoring our lady's name) maybe that's the problem with ideals in general. I avoid them for ideas. I especially like the fact that the knight in this is not seeking fame. (it always seemed to me Launcelot was seeking fame) This poem really expresses the ideals of the chivalric code. Nicely done, great rhythm, good rhyming. Garon E. Whited replies: "I don't know... ideals may remain, even in modern society. One need not take up the sword and duel to defend a lady's honor. A sharp tongue can be just as effective, and a scathing wit equally devastating. The ideals may remain the same--courtesy to all ladies, respect to those above your station, mercy to all below, humility in the face of awards, courage in adversity, and so on--but the way they are expressed can alter. In this piece, the ideal is an enduring faithfulness and love. Perhaps that's something people can't truly find or adhere to, but it's an ideal worth pursuing."
23 Mar 2007	Anonymous	Loading... This is by far my favorite works you spun from soul to words. Some of us still believe in chivalry, though hard to find - but not impossible. Some of us possess a token that you spoke of, very close to heart, but found no-one worthy of giving it to. At least, not yet. My ideal is the same - enduring faithfulness and love. As I get older and experience more of life, one wonders if the days of auld are too far gone. I too, am waiting for my Periwinkle. -chara Garon E. Whited replies: "The trouble isn't that Periwinkle is not present. He's just got bills to pay, a nine-to-five job, and needs to get out of his office to get more exercise. Chivalry is quite alive, I assure you. But too many people think it a joke, or outdated, or useless. How do we change the world, hmm?"
24 Mar 2007	Anonymous	Loading... aye! indeed! rests chin in palm, tapping index finger against lips and ponders I -suppose- "crazy" is open for interpretation, but I dont think your cat-lady was crazy. of course, I should ask if you were referencing, or just asking? Ither way, I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed that Periwinkle will find me way before I turn into either the crone or crazy cat-lady. =) -chara Garon E. Whited replies: "All cat ladies are a little crazy, so it was a reference. And be careful crossing your toes; it can be hard to walk."
24 Mar 2007	Anonymous	Loading... "The trouble isn't that Periwinkle is not present. He's just got bills to pay, a nine-to-five job, and needs to get out of his office to get more exercise. Chivalry is quite alive, I assure you. But too many people think it a joke, or outdated, or useless. How do we change the world, hmm?" I dont recall who said it, but it goes something like this: A life isnt significant except for its impact on others. Teach your children well Lead by example Perhaps the world in whole will never change, it's the ones who make a difference that matter.(me) As for Periwinkle... well, I know he's there. And I'll wait until he calls for me. (i just hope its before I turn into the crazy cat-lady... or an old crone!) -chara ps anxiously awaiting your next piece, food for thought. Garon E. Whited replies: "Hmm. "Crazy cat-lady..." Have you read my "Cats" story?"