Fairy Story Inventory

(at the treasure trove)

 

I think if I had to choose

(and I could choose at all)

I’d rather take the shield

Raised up, it will keep the rain off

 

On my back, it protects

From surprises from coming on behind

It will carry water from the stream

And serve as a plate for food

When I lay down, it could

Raise my head off the ground

 

It’s easier to breathe that way

 

Without the blade, I don’t know if I’d win

An exalted place in the story

The dragon would not be slain

Though I’d have protection from its flame

I’d likely not survive the war

Or be welcomed to the army

Of a conqueror

 

But I could serve a different kind of lord

I could not kill

But could protect such a one

From the rain or whatever else

Might fall upon us

 

C L Couch

 

 

Spear, Dagger, Sword and Shield at Arakkal Museum. Photo by me, Shijaz Abdulla.

Shijaz at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11946402