Botany of a Warrior
by Shelly Jones
Embroider thistle on her tunic for courage,
to prick her boldness on the battlefield,
to pierce her enemies’ shield and armor.
Crush sage in her pockets for salvation,
to keep her safe in an unknown land,
to allay fears that bristle beneath her skin.
Dye her ribbons with coneflower, yarrow,
their petals aflame, a fiery aura will erupt
from her hair as she charges the fray.
Carve her name in black willow bark,
the wood swallowing her memory,
so she will be known for ages to come.
Plant thyme where her feet once trod,
lining the path with their lemony incense
so her spirit may find its way back home.
to prick her boldness on the battlefield,
to pierce her enemies’ shield and armor.
Crush sage in her pockets for salvation,
to keep her safe in an unknown land,
to allay fears that bristle beneath her skin.
Dye her ribbons with coneflower, yarrow,
their petals aflame, a fiery aura will erupt
from her hair as she charges the fray.
Carve her name in black willow bark,
the wood swallowing her memory,
so she will be known for ages to come.
Plant thyme where her feet once trod,
lining the path with their lemony incense
so her spirit may find its way back home.
Shelly Jones, PhD is an Associate Professor of English at SUNY Delhi, where she teaches classes in mythology, folklore, literature, and writing. Her speculative work has been published in Podcastle, New Myths, The Future Fire, and elsewhere.