Rituals of Whiskey and War

man
can't
kill or
drink without
mirroring glow of
ritual reverberation
from his tribe horned twixt black wilderness and open sea
sword edge stone stroked steel set to quaffs of ale steed's mane and tail braided in beer barrel song
tribes treasure the pomp and pasture of their prince as he accepts the blush of kali's kiss
warrior's tresses sleek with fat rendered of dead foes poise
to dance on his slayer's lance or
be toasted as he
jolts back with
his dead
peer's
scalp

Knight, Death, and Devil

in
clouds
of myth
all genders
equal be — hard truth
kernels no more can man draw down
moon magic than woman wander as hero on horse
angled riders risk no return from trails of danger, doubt, self discovery, and change
women hold flat ground near water distanced from his origin where he must pose for place
in a flash of daring he trades care for his gift
of a future enhanced of horse
fleet beasts from the steppes
on its back
above
he
shines