20171031.0430

As each from the dirt sought to rise,
Erdewyn caught that one's eyes,
And hers showed quite cold
Amid her manner bold--
Something that was no surprise.

20171030.0430

She opened the door and them faced
Who thought to put her in her place,
But she, in a trice,
With grip like a vise,
Grabbed each, and each one threw far-spaced.

20171029.0430

So some gathered into a group
And sought to sons' honor recoup.
In anger, they raged
And thought the girl caged
When they arrayed them on her stoop.

20171028.0430

But some of the parents thought she
Had overreacted in glee,
As boys would be boys
And play with their toys.
To rebuke her, then, they would go see.

20171027.0430

When the youths went to their homes,
Aching in muscles and bones,
Some families chided
Them and they sided
With the girl whose fists fell like thrown stones.

20171026.0430

But Erdewyn, with foot and fist,
Sung swiftly, and she did not miss,
And where each blow landed,
The staves were unhanded.
On her, none e'er forced e'en a kiss.

20171025.0430

They thought their way with her to have;
They thought to force her with their staves.
They came on as one
And thought to have fun
With her when she at them had laughed.

20171024.0430

She had in the town had no need
For violence, for all did still heed
The lesson she taught
When, in youth, she had fought
Some who'd her to folly lead.

20171023.0430

But Erdewyn kept well her calm,
Her hand showed oft an open palm
Instead of the fist
That, swung, seldom missed,
And sent where it struck for sweet balm.

2017102.0430

Each of her motions would show
That she the man's lessons did know,
And none would approach
Either with reproach,
Lest they would from health swiftly go.