Warrior

Give yourself up
and be your enemy's prisoner
whine and whimper and weaken

observe them
their feared weapon
learn their words
learn what they hold
holy
their sacred backbone

hear their sad music
keep in your cage
whilst they play
their games

find why they laugh
whom they praise

when they weep
when they upbraid
one another

take good note
until you breathe
their finest skill
and blade
and that itself
becomes some pebble

then
release yourself
from their ties
and walk silently
from your cell
from their barracks

return henceforth
to your place and
gather your best
to meet them at morning.