Two Eternal Warriors

Two Eternal Warriors fight to reign

Over the Fecund and lovely World.

One of life warm light and joy of plenty;

One of death, cold dark and the wisdom of pain

Both Aged Man and Youthful Boy, into Mortal Battle hurled.

The Oak King is less bright, his armor slightly tarnished

Fading fast his stately golden mien sliding into slumber, hidden green

The Holly King rising, in winter white robes stained with blood

Glittering in their eyes a story of True Nature unvarnished

The cycle of life, death and rebirth lending comfort and hope unseen

The heartbeat of the universe becomes a crashing crescendo in full flood.

The fate of whole nations in the balance, we pray to the Mother

To give us what we need as we observe the endless loop

Crone dying back to Maiden, Her own progress is reset too.

In perfect trust and love, the entirety of the world in her womb,

Oak and Holly are locked in loving strife with each other,

As Holly King grows, magnificent Oak King begins to droop.

Each vying for supremacy as men often do.

With tears in his eyes, Holly King builds his Brother a luxurious tomb

The Oak King is wiser and older than his Brother, having learned to live

In peace and plenty, with Love and Warmth overcoming his errant youth

Filled with magic, mystery, and youthful Valor, having not yet learned Mercy

But their strengths each awe-inspiring and yet different, present an enrapturing sight.

The Holly King is brash and bold, a fierce warrior fighting his Eternal Rival with grace.

The battle is on, Oak’s sword of silver and gold flashes, but his flesh leaks like a sieve.

Holly parries again and again, then lightning quick attacks, his advantage growing sooth,

The Lady of the World watches both amused and weary, She is lonely and thirsty

For a new consort’s passion, the victor will rule the world, but let none the loser debase,

He comes to her arms to rest and heal, readying for his next fight

At the turning of the Wheel. Holly at full power strikes a critical blow

And the absorbs the blood and life of his powerful antagonist

With a triumphant grin, he seals his Brother’s fate, pure physical strife and other

Raw magic envelope the golden and bronzed Oak King, the Spirit of Summer

Holly grips his bloodied blade, the red droplets falling on celestial snow

The magnificent Oak King finally spent, bends down low presenting crossed fists

In surrender he is still arresting and the Lady is not at all ashamed to tout

His lusty and virile promise, Her defeated Eternal Warrior now her Eternal Lover.

For six months of darkness Holly King reigns, but do not decry the umber

His inevitable and fearsome victory that which causes the turning of the Wheel,

For one day soon, the sun will rise on a warmer, gentler day, aye Holly’s power

Will wane and the Oak will rise from his idle passions and restful slumber

And take His place as the Goddess’ champion, winning his new ordeal.

Under His rule the Earth will warm, life is borne and plants begin to flower.