The Ballad of Simon and Meetoo

You wouldn’t guess
from their contentedness
that this tale could ever be true.
But I have a story
of sadness and glory
the Ballad of Simon and Meetoo.

In an ancient land
an uncivilized band
of raiders held captive the East.
From the mountains they came
full of hunger and blame
desperate to triumph and feast.

The people below
lived peaceful and slow
led by a lovely young Queen.
She kissed her guard’s head
when he hit the ground dead
felled by a raider unseen.

The Lord of the horde
bellowed and roared
when the Lady refused to be his.
She sat down and cried
for the people who died
and he wondered if hate’s all there is.

The Lord made a vow
a promise for now
that peace would come to this place.
But it came with a price
her hand would suffice
so the veil hid the tears on her face.

When their love was still young
their praises were sung
for the winter was suddenly mild.
People ate well
and rumours would tell
that the Lady was blessed with a child.

Very few knew
she gave birth to two
sons of a powerful man.
One of them thrived
one barely survived
and to save him she secretly ran.

She had rescued the one
gentle young son
unfit for the making of war.
He would always be small
loving to all
and knew that he wanted no more.

The Lord’s strong son
training begun
perfected the art of attack.
Sent to destroy
he would always enjoy
the journey to battle and back.

On a cool summer’s day
quiet and grey
the raiders tore families apart.
The gentle son’s town
was burned to the ground
which melted his brother’s steel heart.

The warrior boy
knowing no joy
in destruction and violence and hate,
Turned to his brother
and forgotten young mother
hoping it wasn’t too late.

From out of the mist
a Sorcerer hissed
I bring a blessing and curse to these men.
Brothers together
now and forever
to die and be reborn again.

When the brothers awoke
a distant voice spoke
any soul can choose to be free.
Transformed into birds
by the Sorcerer’s words
they wondered what else they would be.

They’ve travelled the seas
as dolphins and bees
born each time in a form that is new.
Now kittens, behold!
The legend is told
the Ballad of Simon and Meetoo.