They left their homes, for a better life
Terrorised new pastures, green and fertile
They raided the maiden land, reaped its fortunes
Sent their loot to their motherland

They left their villages, for a better camp
Leaving their cold and wintry islands, damp and soiled
They said they brought peace, enslaving souls
Stealing the natives to their fatherland

They left their leathers and plume, for a richer cloth and sun
Wove trinkets, gaining land and driving the inhabitants
They grabbed the richer cloth, weaving subjects in rags
Stowing their boot to their fatherland

Now driven from the warm and green, pastures spoilt
Beaten back to their cold and wintry islands, damp and soiled
Bestowing titles on their gentry, crests with pomp and orders
Clinging to fallen riches to show they were once the motherland

Sylvi Sylva
2008

040108

Sylvi Sylva

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/beasts-of-glory/