George? St. George?

It’s a long time since I thought
Of dragons and worms
And George.
Yet still I have the vision.
The knight charging into terrible danger
To save the ideal.
The virgin.

Plus ca change, plus le meme chose!

George still believes
In saving the virgin from the dragon.
Still clothes himself in armour
And mounts a spirited steed.
Fights dragon fire
And dragon tail
And armoured bat wings
With a microphone.

For George rides no more.
His armour brightly shines from
Blackberries.
His steed from talk radio.
George rides to battle
With pounding beats
Of electronic hooves.

No Black Prince he;
No St. George.
A Hal who forgot his Falstaff
And made bargain with Iago.
And bargains there were made.

Remember St. George
Who stormed
With steel and steed into darkness
And prevailed.

Who for those who made steel
And tended steed;
Who knew the name
That burnished plate and plated greave;
That fetlock checked and main did weave
And then rode out.
Alone
To face the dragon.