Elder Poem

You are the acting elder
of two retiring clans,
bringing heightened order
to their non-competing plans.

Soldiers lay down useless arms,
retreat the way they came,
along a path of bloody charms
bordered by the lame.

Metal dust mixed with sweat
settles on their brows;
while cold skin absent of regret
roughly guides their plows.

Captain, steer this ship,
lumber through the night,
pass slowly by the ocean’s lip,
draw blood from pleasure’s bite.

Sing disconsolate passenger
of lands that far away
will always be beyond the reach
of those who do not stray.

The elder in perspective,
invaluable source of good,
protector from invective,
uncertainty understood.