Alchemisland

Once esteemed fighter fails to redeem in nailbiter

His chin’s been seen to, leg isn’t great either

But there’s grit and dog-genes, you can’t deny it

Elbows creaking like ichor-leaking Talos

As Jason sails away with intact stolen payload

Tying to reach higher tiers, better seats

Still seeking, still willing to bleed to trap the pearl-sheen seed

I feel like an old knight in rusty armour, low lain and late yeared

Pain, gears grating

An ancient machine, hasn’t been seen to lately

My pained todays pay for all my misspent yesterdays

I imagine a sizable wall section coming off in my hand

Falling onto the pavement

Becoming a flatter version of myself, me as curbstomped spraypaint

No longer being best doesn’t distress me, not in the same way

I am the same, here in the same place, but my perspective changed:

We gain gifts, favours and prizes in the different phases of our lives

I will gain beneficial foresight, experience’s price paid thrice

In exchange for once-ripe might.