Elegy for a Knight

His foe had proved too powerful. All night the battle raged,
And only in the morning light the dragon disengaged.
His broken body stretched upon the hardened, jagged stones,
The knight, he shouted out for help, but he was all alone. 

The legs he’d used to run a thousand leagues were twisted ‘round,
The arms he’d used to lift a thousand swords now failed a pound,
The sun beat down, but it seemed only ice could reach his bones. 
The knight, he begged the air for help, but he was all alone. 

The golden sun sank down and vultures overtook the skies,
And slowly every honey-drop of sunlight left his eyes. 
He tried to cross himself with arms grown heavy, weak, and cold,
The knight, he prayed to God for help, but he was all alone. 

The vultures came. The vultures left. No birdsong filled the air.
They buried him wrapped in a flag and lackluster fanfare.
The general had stood and watched as he took blow by blow,
But never helped his knight, for knights must always fight alone.