A Hero's Tale

Hello Hi,

I hope you're doing great. I wrote a short story (300 words) for the Etisalat prize fiction. Please read, share and vote for me; you can also vote everyday. Thank you. Here's the link:

http://prize.etisalat.com.ng/a-mothers-bane/

I was going to put up a short story today but my friend sent me a beautiful poem which I could not resist especially as I find poem-composing very challenging. He chooses by go by his pseudonym - ucsmile (some of you may know him or may have seen his other lovely works). So please enjoy and leave your comments below.

photo credit: www.wattpad.com

A Hero's Tale

Such stories are often told

By the wizened ones of old

Who with backs steeped in age

Recount battles fought on life's stage

Reminiscent on the eternity of youth

Toes tingling for dancing shoes and boot

But with a lesson to impact

On those with bodies still intact

This story has never been told

For none could conceive something so bold

Or even perceive the workings of a man's heart

Determined to play a part

In utter disregard of the applause

Which some need to stay on course

When placed on the spotlight

In a quest for the fairest and white

This is a tale of man’s bravery

One whose end can vary

Depending on the path that one should tow

Or the mouth from which the tale is told

Of an adventure in the Jungle of Ardor

Whose key is strength and valor

And the price the rarest of all

The lone bloom in the Fall

She is like a flower

Which some see and cower

Words fleeing down parched throats

Sweat dribbling down hot clothes

Feet tapping in a confounded pattern

Wrapped in shoes spick-and-span

All set to dazzle the fair maiden

The pride of the garden

Her body was enshrouded in vanilla

Which sent each warrior to Nirvana

Her voice that of a nightingale

Piercing each heart and mail

Her touch was the gentle wind

For which each warrior yearned

Her eyes a seamless deep fountain

That a multitude of warriors cannot drain

Each warrior sought her

Leaving behind a grisly nightmare

As they tear through the jungle

Every step, a pleasant struggle

Undaunted by the prick of the thorn

Nor perturbed by armor that is worn

With shredded skins they went on

For the maiden is just for one

Some turned back the trail

For their pace could not match a snail

A few fell on the way side

Content with another as bride

Others went off to a new quest

Convinced that they will fail the test

And alas our hero is left

But with the bravest and heft

They searched high and low

Till they came on top a brow

From which summit they could see

Our maiden bathed in a sea

Of golden rays of morning sun

Reflected in the eyes of a python

This was poised to end the life

Of a creature with so much love rife

Without a pause our hero moved

And enwrapped the maiden as she stood

Even the pain of the python bite

Could not weaken the hand that held on so tight

And with eyes misted with love and warmth

He strove to say with his dying breath

My love, I die joyful knowing you are alive

With the thought that one like me did live

ucsmile®

Have a great week ahead.

Twitter: @vivio_gogo  IG:ugochiukah