The Joust

The knights idle up, stand either side of the fence.
Their lances are raised, their aim intense.
The queen drops her handkerchief to show things start.
The knights take off, depend on strength and art.
They race down the jousting track, a blur as they dash.
Their gleaming armour in the sun makes a flash.
The lances finally, make contact at last.
It’s awful, the damage it happens so fast.
A knight is unseated he is down on the field.
You see blood oozing out from behind his shield.
Life was so lethal then.
Just to prove you were men.