Arrowhead in the sand

by Antwan Fields - Aries

Somewhere back in primitive lands lies an arrowhead
That juts out of the ground
whittled out of stone
Who knows which end is down?

The old warrior walks up the path
his forehead streams with sweat
The blazing sun beats down on him
but he doesn't notice he's wet

He stops silently, gazing at the sky
shielding his eyes with his hand
he doesn't notice anything
even his feet sifting the sand

The old warrior's mind is somewhere else
he stares out toward sandbars
absently he fingers his side
running his hand over his scars

His children are gone, scattered to the wind
with families of their own
leaving the old warrior in his element
fighting the wars alone.

The old warrior turns to go
Suddenly the sun seems too close
there is no else around
it seems too hot for most

He touches his forehead, and the sweat is like blood
streaming down his face
for the first time he notices
he seems to be in space

Slowly he shuffles away from the water
which beckons invitingly
it would seem the old warrior
isn't holding to his plea

He looks down at the arrowhead
and then he feels it hit
the war is over
the warrior consigned this pit

His knees buckle, as if he took
a cyanide pill
he falls on the arrowhead
and all is seemingly still

His last view is of a memory
of his final earthly bed
then a veil drops over his vision
and his eyes roll up in his head

They stand over him
the younger warriors worship
one looks out toward the horizon
and notices it dip

They bow to the old warrior
and watch his soul climb
and then they show him the respect he's earned
one last time.

Reason for writing:

    It's an allegory...and a really easy one to decipher.    

Birth sign: Aries
Date created: 2009-04-16 19:53:16
Last updated: 2021-03-03 14:47:12
Poem ID: 71971

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