George's battles

George, you are such a saintly saint

A standing in your niche

Your foot upon the serpent

Your battle sword at rest

The beast that you have conquered

Lies cowering beneath

Hero conquers evil

Is what we're asked to believe

But do you ever consider

The creature that you smite

Is one of God's creations

Nature's reptile caught

In centuries of propaganda

To rally to the cause

Of West v Eastern conflict

Is this your legacy George?

St George's day April 23

The first poem I can recall writing, from over 30 years ago, was inspired by a huge beaten silver wall sculpture of the many deaths of St George. It was at the time mounted in the Victoria and Albert museum in London. Long since removed. I never completed the poem and still sometimes muse on the meanings of this saint's life and legend. Most martyrs die a single death. The legend of St George's passion is that he was tortured and mutilated to death, only to rise again to suffer a second and third gruesome execution.

The poem went something like:

Valiant Knight dressed in virginal white

Your blood red banner cries words that span a thousand years

No tears show your pain or fear

As the hot blade rent your body in two did you cry

Did you beg for mercy or where you reay to die?

Thanks for reading