Small Cricket Vanquished

HERE in the vaulting, vast, frost-stiffened
Forest of the grasses, underneath
The utter incomprehensibility of oak and elm,
Lie now, the gallant casque undone,
The brave cuirass, the bright, enameled, black
Jambeaux, the brassards, all
Loosed from their fine-spun rivets, dropped to rust.

Done the frenetic launchings into space, the brief,
Uncertain flights, the gear-encumbered, clumsy,
Chance-directed landings. Stringless the lute.
Silent the strident, gay, once-amorous song.

Sleep now,
Small knight-jongleur, inevitably in the Great List
Ilors dc combat. Accept the final prize.
W ith all that ever leapt and loved and sang
And fought brave, foolish battles at the feet
Of spanless shafts, embrace eternity.