Refusing the Quest

I’d rather die than leave. I’ve built
A life to be proud of. I wake
And work the land. The soil’s become
A part of my body. Its smell
Has seeped within my nails to meld
Into my blood. I am the land.
So, tell me why I need to leave?

So, tell me why you’ve come to give
This task to me? And on whose charge?
Whose voice rings louder than the sound
Of cowbells, cocks, and cracking dawns?
Whose authority is worth more than
My daily tasks, the folks I feed,
And if I leave what’ll they receive?

I don’t care for kings, queens or gods.
And demons, well, they might be odd
But none have come to halt my life.
So right now you are worse than them.
Yes, right now you’re a detriment.
Please leave. You can. I can’t. Because
I’d rather die than leave.



Poetry by Sameen The PoetBay support member heart!
Written on 2025-11-06 at 15:29

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