WARRIORS CODE.

I am as amicable as

an old friend across the table

until it is time to put on greaves,

grab my helmet and spear, and leave

for a little game of life and death.

Now I’m Kill Bill—

and I cannot tell you how many heroes will

need to fall dead to expire

this κλέος vampire in my head.

My love, your face has changed.

No. My face is gone.

and my eyes are quite dead,

for I am drawn

to the most primal art of violence,

to play the part

known to warriors

across culture and century.

And the art of war is the war of art.

Feel the still, my not-beating heart.

It will not move blood again

until I speak truth to power—

So here is my artist’s gambit,

curved like karambit,

and perfectly cut to claim

a part of your soul in victory.

Give it to me.

And I will tell of mystery and history

you have all forgot or long-buried.

Then you can plot a better way of now

once you rise from the dead

where I cut your down.

Let’s just see if I’ve got

what it take to show you how

to throw off every foe

in this here room so you can

join me in beast mode.

I am an artist of war and peace.

And this is my warriors code.

Hey Text and Rocker!

If this poem added value to your day,

check out our new poetry collection

WARRIOR: A TEXT AND ROCK POETRY COLLECTION ON ART. HEART. AND THE WARRIOR ETHOS.

Join me for the artist’s game of life and death!

—Swift-Footed Markilles