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Stories / Stories / Yuri Mataev / Text 6 of 16 / The Ballad of the Last Man in Caen (Poem)

"The Ballad of the Last Man in Caen (Poem)" by Yuri Mataev

SF&F Picture 6 out of 16 by Yuri Mataev

Many writers write the story first, and then the songs, poems and ballads. Here it's the other way around. Inspired by stories and songs of the Russian Civil War.

The Last Man in Caen When first the smell of fire came from the fog, He stood by his fence and chipped at a log. Looking at his garden and his wonderful home He wiped away a tear and kicked at the loam. He prepared himself for what would come from the mists, Readied his bow and clenched his fists. Filled his quiver and sharpened his spear And wrote in his journal 'No one passes here.' The first army came and fell like snow. The second army came and was laid low. The third army came and was withdrawn, The fourth army came and reddened the dawn, The fifth army came and broke like a wave, The sixth army came and went to its grave, The seventh army came, turned and ran, Beaten all by the courage of a single man. But night closed its cover over the world, The enemy banner again was unfurled. Ten armies were gathered to finish him off, From Kiyag, Adair and Adasof, Ten hellish armies, all the elves of the land, Crying their battlecries, weapons in hand, What chance against them stood one human soul, Curled up in sleep, underground, like a mole? Come to the place where his house stood whole, Where grass grows tall over ashes and coal, And shed your tears in this quiet glen, Where died he, last man in Caen.

←- Tylock and the Last Man in Caen | Sources of Belief: Chapter I -→

Date	Name	Comment
18 Jan 2003	Jyri Lehtinen	Loading... It's a beautiful story of the fall of a brave man. I must admit that it touches me any time when someone dies bravely on battle ground. Especially when it's after a long time of desperate waiting of death. In your poem I like it too that it has its roots/inspiration in reality. Like these mythical like poems very much.

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About 'The Ballad of the Last Man in Caen (Poem)':

• Status: OK
• Created by:

Yuri Mataev
• Copyright: ©Yuri Mataev. All rights reserved!

• Keywords: Last, Man, Caen, Ballad, Poem, Song
• Categories: Magic and Sorcery, Spells, etc.
• Views: 112

More by 'Yuri Mataev':

Lady Spring	Tylock: Homecomings and Pardonings	Sources of Belief: Chapter V
Song of Balance (Poem)	Sources of Belief: Chapter IV	That Last Autumn (Poem)
Tylock: Black Dog of Caen	Last Hero: the Short Story

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