Battle Cry

I lie upon this battlefield my wounds open and bleeding No one sees my condition, no one heeds my pleading I the lonely soldier of life, aged and scarred left dying Not even my enemies come with their trade of pain plying The vulture does not circle, the maggots wriggle away Dust settles on my brow; I await fate and my decay Hungered and thirsty, not knowing even the nights dew All I have left is this heart and my undying love for you Days pass to weeks, weeks to months, months to years I the soldier loving not with words nor deed only tears Though I curse my condition, I curse death even more Flee! Death wriggle away as the maggot, for it is love I adore I shall fight for my life; I shall fight for love, even undone So flee, my enemies; flee death, tarry not, run, run, run For this old one will rise even from his own dust and despair He will rise in darkest hour flesh torn, bones splintered to declare Love is my battle cry, the army though only numbers one I shall fight, I shall bleed and repeat this battle till it is won Death will not claim me until your hand is held in mine Then and only then will I yield as the grape to the wine