Duel of Love

[Jason Rimbaud]

Duel of Love

By: Jason R.

 

In the dark confines of a smoky bar

Where gay boys gather from afar

They have come together to this place

To see who will rule forever in this place

The symbol of this friendship war

Between the one named, John

And the broken-hearted boy, to be broken no more

 

Enveloped by a trillion black lights

Bodies groping and touching through the night

To find a one to complete the sum

Looking for that perfect lover but finding none

And the one to decide the fate and the death

Of the one named, John

And the boy who held his breath

 

The audience had gathered close for this 'fight of the bars'

Friends of the broken-hearted boy had arrived, shining like stars

And those that followed the one named, John, squealed out

Glaring and smoking in the semi-dark, curses they shout

And for a moment, all who had gathered silence fell

Those of the one named, John

And the boy who had lived his hell

 

Then a cheer erupted, shouts and screams were loud

As an olive skinned boy stepped up, through the crowd

Arrogantly he pranced, his small hands held high

Trailed by his minions, more than a few queers sighed

And with that grand entrance the outcome was bleak

Not for the one named, John

But the boy all remembered as weak

 

Another cheer erupted, this time the minions shook in pain

As a swell of goodness flowed down like a cleansing rain

Walking into that darken bar, there he stood awaiting this duel

Neither blinking nor cringing, refusing to add fire to this fuel

And there on the finger, a silver band was a gifted ring

To the one named, John

From the boy who urged the night to sing

 

Then a persona, known both far and wide, appeared in all black

Brandon, the bartender, had been elected to oversee this attack

Opening the book of rules, each side hushed in awe

As the neutral one, cleared his throat, and read the words he saw

As he explained, in his soft golden voice

The one named, John

And the boy knew it was he who would make the choice

 

"Now here's the rules, and each of you will abide

Once you're finished, it will be I who decide

The side who is defending, will get the first chance to speak

Then one who feels wronged, will get the answers that he seeks"

Prancing there, a smug expression and glazed eyes

Was the one named, John

As the boy steeled himself for the up-coming lies

 

John cried out, "This is your last shot tonight."

The boy just smiled, he had come prepared for a fight

"You're dead meat boy," John yelled with glee

Trying mentally to get the upper hand to steal the victory

Because jeers and threats had before worked on this one

And the one named, John

Stared at the boy, confident, believing he already won

 

Then Brandon rang the bell, the crowd cheered, it was on

And John leaped out, making sure his blows were strong

He brought up nights of drugs and casual sex

The boy countered back saying all these things he regrets

And the jabs of accusations of cheating and nights of lust

The one named, John

And the boy who felt love was a matter of trust

 

For an hour and five minutes the two battled to a draw

When the boy's hands came down, John was amazed at what he saw

An opening in the boy's defense, he struck without a sound

The blow of indifference, sent the boy crashing to the ground

Minions roared in victory, encouraging the one still on his feet

While the one named, John

Peered down at the boy, awaiting the ten-count of defeat

 

Brandon, the bartender, turned his head

Tears fell from his eyes, signified the boy was dead

Brandon, who had thought the boy would never bend

Feared the ten-count would proclaim the battle's end

But something caused him to tremble through his sweat

This one named, John

Knew in his heart, the boy was not finished yet

 

Before Brandon could begin by saying, Ten

The boy stirred and held up his bleeding chin

Staring into the eyes of the one he once loved

Somewhere in his heart, maybe with help from above

He realized the pain he saw in those eyes

Of the one named, John

And the boy, for the first time, broke and cried

 

"I'm sorry, the boy said, in a quiet but calm voice

"For all the times I lied and narrowed your choice

I know you were pushed and kept from my heart

If it's okay with you, I'd like a fresh start."

And with forgiveness, and love in his stare

The one named, John

And the boy, left all the anger there

[AFriendlyFace]

Wow, Jason! That was amazing! I've read a lot of poems tonight, and this is the only one to make me cry. WELL DONE!

 

It was just...so beautiful and well told! I loved the whole thing, how it was like they were having a physical, in the ring fight, but were really just rehashing their problems. It was genus to make the bartender the ref. because of course he would be the one stuck listening to their quarrel. All in all it just purely amazing and very well told!

 

I regret not reading it sooner, but I'm also pleased that I had this unexpected delight!

 

Awesome!

 

-Kevin