Avenged

What I wish I could have said, in my mind's-eye arena;

Iron-spined and self held proud whether standing or kneeling

Before tormentors who sought to make me meaner,

Seeking to duplicate their smallness by cruel dealings:

"These indignities reflect not on me, unyielding,

Though you be despots, my humanity is not imperiled,

Not by such power as you inept usurpers are wielding.

Noble beyond debasing, I, and in battle feral;

Grim child of light unquenchable and the day eternal.

Your mouths will stutter on their curses, e'en right arm diminish,

Until your tyrannies fail under the sortie of the rebel

Your names fading and forsaken until utterly extinguished

Selfsame as by the dawn each black night is vanquished

In that manner will I wake, a sword drawn, a red morn

Carrion-fowl flocks following, and no more will languish!"