An Ancient Winter War

Posted: February 3, 2018 in What Pegman Saw
Tags: , , , , ,

I have missed What Pegman Saw, so am dipping my toe into the 150-word waters of a story about North Coast, Finland. Thanks, Pegman!!!

We inhabit a land of seagrass and women who wear armor.
Our children are strong. Our men brave.
Together we have lived upon these shores for one thousand years
and will defend it to the death.

At night the polar skies glow with fox-fire.
The days glisten with sunshine and laughter.
Our fields produce crops you have never heard of,
and we will never share.
The forests surrounding our homes
are alive with bear and lynx.
They do not frighten us,
for they are here to serve.

So, even though you have three times our number of sailing ships,
filled with twice as many soldiers armed with weapons of hammered steel,
do not think, for one moment,
you have the slightest chance of conquering our people.

For we will rise up in a fury so strong
the hearts of your bravest men will tremble.
Send your army.
We are here.
Waiting.

Comments
  1. pennygadd51 says:

    I like the way you structure this, as a saga rather than a poem or prose. You’ve written it with great resolution!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. James says:

    Wonderful lead in to a tale of epic battle and glory.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Jelli says:

    AHO! AMEN! Love this! A strong people, standing up for themselves! That, my friends, is what a nation is founded upon! Love this story, Alicia.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Excellent voice in this piece.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. k rawson says:

    The voice and format really work nicely, giving it the feel of an epic Viking saga. Well done! So nice to see you, Lish!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Lyn says:

    You know, Alicia, I could visualise a young woman standing on a tall headland looking out to sea, watching enemy ships approaching in the distance, and this is the monologue running in her head, but we can hear her. Beautifully done.

    Like

  7. prior.. says:

    damn – feels the same way I felt after watching braveheart fro the first time.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Lynn Love says:

    Ooh, I love this voice! Strong and indomitable and confident in their own tribe’s ability to survive. I love some of your touches – Our fields produce crops you have never heard of,
    and we will never share / They do not frighten us,
    for they are here to serve
    They sound terrifying – an unstoppable force. Loved it

    Liked by 1 person

  9. draliman says:

    And they have indeed repelled much larger armies than themselves. A hardy bunch!

    Liked by 1 person

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