Upon a bough upon the road, a wren
Pronounced a song that knighted travelers knew
And Gwalchmai whistled in the harmonies.
Four moons they'd seen upon the road,
Tonight to be their fifth, though now 'twas day
So newly formed it wore a bridal veil
Of snaking mists throughout that dreaming land.
The wren and Gwalchmai sang a merry mile
Yet parted when the sun grew high. The shroud
Dispersed somewhat, as if to clear their path,
Yet in its place the forest tangled thick.
Like sometimes dreamers find their sight a mist
So indistinct became the path they trailed,
In verdant triumph of the trees and vines
And moss that spilled like spiderwebs aloft,
That grace of light was blocked; this place was night
For all the days it wove itself in life.
The silence clung to them as tight as moss
That wisped and from the branches hung alive,
Since Gwalchmai had no heart to sing alone
And Kay's voice, though he tried, was like a drum.
They came upon a whirling forest stream
And Gwalchmai's horse did skip across on stones
Yet golden-tonguéd Kay did cry "Halt! Wait!
Across I cannot make so loaded down!
Come, shoulder some provisions, take this lance,
These extra pauldrons blue, and I shall ford."
So silver-tonguéd Gwalchmai had no choice
But bear these items over water's spray.
"You've brought too much," said Gwalchmai when across.
"The pauldrons on you now look passing strong,
I say you shall not need their sister pair."
"Why sir," said Kay, "I lov'd thee for thy brain,
I thought you knew to always be prepared."
"'Tis true indeed, we needs must be prepared
Though that advantage countered by your bulk.
It seems you could not leap a stream, how then
Can you attack Twrch Trwyth, loathsome beast?
A-many king were killed by hunted boar,
And we but knights -- these burdens shall distract
Our lowly flesh and lead us to our doom."
"Some talk for sure! I saw your pack so light
And thought you crafty, with some hidden load,
Yet now I see you've brought but scarce, you fool!
A truth now: if these shoulder-plates did fail,
What song would grace your lips? Would Gwalchmai sing
Of wonders grown to fruit with foresight's rain?"
"I ask you, Kay. If squared against this beast,
Now truly, you and he, what would you do?"
"If Trwyth-boar and I were face to fate?
With all things told I'd wish a strong defense;
His power is enourmous, I recall."
"Indeed my brother, I agree. Your shield
Must raise to block his way or else be gouged
On fearsome razor tusk. What then would you?"
"Ah, then. A deadly choice, two tusks to fear.
A warrior does always favor right --
And too shall giant scab, so I'll block left.
When Trwyth's gore comes seeking for my heart
My shield mayhaps shall crack that ugly snout."
"My dear, my fellow knight, 'tis as I feared!
We must not underestimate Trwyth,
For he is eons old and wise as stone
That sleeps in tumulus among the dead.
Thou art too focused and too loaded down,
So like to me when at the Chapel Green.
My shameful lesson scorched me with its lash
For in my mind my path was narrow, straight,
Yet in an ocean I was drowning there.
In haste to live, I took her girdle charm;
In haste I took the path presented first
With singleminded foolishness. Beware
That you as well fall not to such a trap.
I ask you Kay, if thrust to left with shield
And then discovered error in your thrust --
Discovered Trwyth's tusk upon your right --
What would you then that would not end in death?"
"I said it was a deadly choice, alas!
If with the other tusk he thrust I fear
That I'd be at his mercy. Yet, sir knight,
That thrust would mark your cue, and from the flank
A strike from Gwalchmai topples evil boar!
Do you propose that this should be our plan?"
"Misunderstood was I, and that no plan.
I meant to warn you 'gainst my failings passed,
That we may overcome. Thou knowst my mind?"
"In sooth I know it not" he said, while deep
Within the forest birds began to weep.
"To tell it plain, these riddles trick my ears
And lead me to a lack of understanding.
Yet ask me for my sword, I'll tell thee plain."
The crows grew loud as Gwalchmai said "These lips
My only two, and riddles issue forth.
How else to speak these words I do not know
Except to say, my mind was racing fast
That night in Chapel Green, and I enslaved
With soul asunder, pulled apart by thoughts.
Yet when it all was over, I was clear
For shock had swept my mind of thoughts that swoop
And hunt convictions, gnawing at the flesh
To form a cloud of worry and of hurt
That scars the soul that's rent. Dear Kay,
I say that worry will destroy our drive
Preventing adaptation in the fight.
Agaist a foe so dread, a complex plan
Would load us more than extra pauldrons blue."
"But some idea, some framework you advise?
To challenge blind a folly, sure as if
My shield I'd thrust to neither side to pause
And catch my breath." The birds had ceased their spell
And foggy quietude returned to woods
As trees began to thin and form a plain
That rolled with blossomed grasses, full of wind.
"I'm with you sir, contingencies we'll dream
To better set our expectations, yet
Indeed I ask you: pause and stay your shield
To see which side Twrch Trwyth favors first."
The crows they left behind called after them
From tangled boughs of ancient warden trees.
Grey Gwalchmai whistled in the melodies,
But discord did the black-cloaked birds pronounce.