PENNSIC WAR

(Part III - The Post-Revels)

by Modar Neznanich

 

At the end

Of each day's fun,

When the fighters are done

Hitting upon each other,

And the merchants have

Closed their shoppes

For the day;

The many participants

Of this large event gather.

In groups, small and large,

Discussion about the day begins.

Wares purchased are displayed

To friends, old and new.

Strategies and fighting styles

Are endlessly debated

And displayed in animated

Air tourneys of skill.

Musical instruments magically appear.

Song and dance and cheer

Soon waft over the campsites.

As darkness collects

To settle like a blanket,

Fires, small and large,

Are brought into existence.

A comradery forms among

The Society's members

And a stranger from

Clear across the States

Becomes a brother

And is asked to join

A group for an evening

Of merriment and fun.

The "big brute" who

"Killed" you in the fight today

Becomes just the person

To share a song with.

The kind gentle who

Picked up and returned

Your dropped pouch today

Is ideal to ask to take

An evening walk in the moonlight.

Laughter and friendship

Fills the air until at last,

One by one, each gentle seeks

Their abode for the night,

To drift into slumber

With thoughts of a new morrow.

Once a year, the great war comes

And last but a week of days.

 

Each year, more good gentles come

And each year, more eagerly

Anticipate its arrival.

A time to step away

From the pressures

And attitudes

Of the world

And return

To a time

Of chivalry,

And gentleness.

Strangers become

Everlasting friends.

And hope that there

Is indeed a future

Is renewed in the souls

Of a few thousand people.

A time of revelry in life

At the great Pennsic War.


©1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007  Ron Knight/Modar Neznanich
©2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Ron Knight/Modar Neznanich

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