Love Poem: Duel
Keith Bickerstaffe Avatar
Written by: Keith Bickerstaffe

Duel

The heady scent of summer nights 
glorify a lady much adored;
musky premonitions of an unrequited love, 
a passion much too deep to be ignored.

All-consuming frenzy, reason does not rule 
his fevered mind. She has said: 'No more!' yet 
he won't accept her condemnation, won't endure 
a heartache that would cut him to the core.

Magnolias fill the air with the fragrance of desire;
two men at odds, emotions frayed, yet resolute.
Two shots resound through morning's early light,
one man lies dead, the other's hopes lie mute.