PENNSIC WAR
(Part III - The Post-Revels)
by Modar Neznanich
At the end
Of each day's fun,
When the fighters are done
Hitting upon each other,
And the merchants have
Closed their shoppes
For the day;
The many participants
Of this large event gather.
In groups, small and large,
Discussion about the day begins.
Wares purchased are displayed
To friends, old and new.
Strategies and fighting styles
Are endlessly debated
And displayed in animated
Air tourneys of skill.
Musical instruments magically appear.
Song and dance and cheer
Soon waft over the campsites.
As darkness collects
To settle like a blanket,
Fires, small and large,
Are brought into existence.
A comradery forms among
The Society's members
And a stranger from
Clear across the States
Becomes a brother
And is asked to join
A group for an evening
Of merriment and fun.
The "big brute" who
"Killed" you in the fight today
Becomes just the person
To share a song with.
The kind gentle who
Picked up and returned
Your dropped pouch today
Is ideal to ask to take
An evening walk in the moonlight.
Laughter and friendship
Fills the air until at last,
One by one, each gentle seeks
Their abode for the night,
To drift into slumber
With thoughts of a new morrow.
Once a year, the great war comes
And last but a week of days.
Each year, more good gentles come
And each year, more eagerly
Anticipate its arrival.
A time to step away
From the pressures
And attitudes
Of the world
And return
To a time
Of chivalry,
And gentleness.
Strangers become
Everlasting friends.
And hope that there
Is indeed a future
Is renewed in the souls
Of a few thousand people.
A time of revelry in life
At the great Pennsic War.
©1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007 Ron Knight/Modar Neznanich
©2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Ron Knight/Modar Neznanich