It was that day he deserted that cause
No longer a rebel fighting in that war
He entered and emerged eluding death’s jaws
Through the easy escape route offered before

The enemy fired yet they could not hit him
And there was no hatred in him for them
They could not have known the wizard’s whim
He’d ordered they fight like desperate men

Settling down to a new way of life
Had to be learnt, never had he been free
Taken from servitude, to service,  from strife
And taught to fight with a new strategy

When he returned, he wore his old armour
This new strategy would win without a doubt
Seeing this, they attacked him to the core
A fleeting victory, they’d won the first bout.

Then fighting one day on a different flank
An armour was worn, in it they were bold
His moth-eaten suit held not even a plank
But to get the new, he must part with the old.

His general showed him a coat that was new
He told him to don the shiny clean suit
With the full armour now he was in queue
He was just to relax, and be ever resolute

He went to his ally and asked him how
His battle-weary armour was all removed
Before a man in white did his wounds bow
And his bulwark now could not be moved

He had been needing, vying for release
Even so, it had never been found
Enslaved in an army fighting for peace
But here was a bondman, no more bound.

“But” said I, “did the former give you a nod
Else would they not want to clap you in irons
For did you not swear an oath to God
That if you desert, you are fed to the lions

He replied, “Ahh my nomad, the truth will be
In the depths of what I tell for you
If you have eyes, look and you will see
If you have ears inclined to what is true.

To this was said, “I pray you continue,
That I may comprehend the meaning therein
Your sojourn is one of splendid retinue
Of victory in war, and of hope and daring

                          oOo