Epic

We started from a quiet place

a place of dusty streets and market stalls

noise on market days, noise of animals

and children playing

the world beckoned, its soul yearning

no armies did we lead

no armies did we need

no horses did we ride

an army of two, with sandals

an army of two, without swords

the wind went before us smoothing

our way to the towns and languages

to fields and sentinel farm houses

cities, and temples

cities, and rulers

cities, and governors

cities, and nobles and slaves  and merchants

cities, and noise

we conquered with words and spirit

even our deaths conquered provinces

and kingdoms, hearts

from two on a road we found ourselves

leading hundreds and more, thousands

and more until the empire itself

fit within our hands, the greatest empire

before or since

we destroyed it, some say

we saved it, some say

we saved its soul, we say,

its souls, we say

Tweetspeak Poetry is into epics this month, and posted both a playlist and poetry prompt this week. Check it out and join in the legends, or join in the history.

Photograph: Statue of St. Paul by Adamo Tadolini (1838) outside St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.