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The Dragon and the George

pray tell me, have you heard the tale
of Dragon and St. George?
the beast and its enormous tail
the struggle near the gorge?

well, let me tell you, what you've heard
is not completely true
the real events are somewhat blurred
give modesty its due

the truth is when George raised his spear
a euphemism, you see
t'was love he felt, it wasn't fear
but it was not to be

yes, real love is what he sought
his heart set on the drake
the dragon preferred Lancelot
he partial to the snake

the jealous lover, thus engorged
grabbed his spear with his glove
and thus, the Dragon and St. George
and unrequited love

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2793763-Impossible-Love-A-Ballad-Contest

Translation: I Loved You by Pushkin

I loved you once.  That love’s decaying embers
still warm the empty chambers of my soul
Do not feel sad, if part of you remembers
I wouldn't want to sadden you at all
My love for you was desperate and hopeless
heartfelt but timid, jealous, but so true
genteel, sincere and wistful, and may God bless
and grant you love that feels that way for you

Author notes: there are multiple translations here, here's one: https://allpoetry.com/I-Loved-You I've attempted to keep both rhythm and rhyme, which of course necessitated some other liberties.

Ancient Enemies

the alpha leads the fearsome pack
their eyes are glowing embers
their gait sends shivers down your back
as part of you remembers
who is the master of these lands
howls signal his arrival
and you forget your best laid plans
and focus on survival
another minute and they're here
the floodlights flicker on
they surely smell it, smell your fear
but stop at once, as one
and there they stand, the moment's passed
and licking canine teeth
and you, back in the now, at last
remember how to breathe

Author notes: wc 90 image from Pinterest

Choices

for help in finding evil's source
one first must understand, of course
what evil actually is
it seems as easy as a breeze
is it a glitch? character flaw?
(do try avoiding Godwin's Law)
banality would soon emerge
leading contender for the scourge

but all those explanations lack
the clarity of white and black
a lack of empathy and care
is not sufficient, though it's there
the universe itself observes
but hardly interferes, it serves
to purely keep a going score
it's surely neutral in its core

when thinking about god and love
and absent all of the above
does evil simply manifest
as a celestial trial? a test?
a sorting challenge for your soul
which isn't really in control?
free will be damned
they had you jammed!

no, that's too easy, is it not
we all know, and if not, we ought
that choices are what makes a man
and choices, never mind the plan
choices for evil, or for good
choices considered, understood
we are our choices, they are we
and evil's source? it's you and me

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792617-The-source-of-evil

Hamlet

a tiny hamlet in the woods
log cabins puffing smoke
a rooster's "all is well" intrudes
it's time to wake the folk

the fresh snow glitters as the sun
sends embers down below
the evergreens light up as one
turn bluish as they glow

soon mammal bleats and squeaky doors
add to the morning's sounds
the dogs are barking on all fours
the milkman makes his rounds

a tiny town, no wall or gate
idyllic and pristine
a perfect place to contemplate
what is, and might have been

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2793397-Hamlet---A-Small-Village--