The Kingdom was lost

[Jerrybaldy]

For the want of a nail
your hands had 9 perfect talons.
I always noticed you kept one short
and with a wink and a smile
you told me why.
For the want of a shoe
you walked tall
then short
then tall
in your single stilleto.
For the want of a horse
we kept our sweet child
unspoilt.
For the want of a rider
you rode alone
and I watched.
We never wanted a battle
but we wanted to kill
in the end.
For the want of an end
my choice
will just have to do.

[Delta40]

All for the want of a nail. I like the signposts used in the poem of deteriorating relationships. It seems as if in spite of everything, you choose the end.

[Deriath]

well, it seems I am still a novice writer, so I am curious to gain an understanding of this poem. I can sense the emotion but I don't seem to catch the meaning. if you could spare some time to explain the meaning behind the words, I would appreciate it.

[deryk]

I'm impressed by how much compression is going on in this poem. Every couple lines manages a complete illustration of sex and death, the period of a relationship, and the metaphors are so cogent and fluid, there's nothing that needs to be unpacked. It's so keen, it's like I'm waiting for the blood to flow after the cut!

[Haunted]

"want" is the operative word for anything worth fighting for.

whether a war is winnable, there's always something memorable, grand and sad at the same time:

For the want of a shoe
you walked tall
then short
then tall
in your single stilleto.

[Jerrybaldy]

Thanks Delta deryk and haunted
Deriath. We are all novices. This is a parody on ' for want of a nail the kingdom was lost (google it) related to the loss of a partner rather than a war. Any more Q's please ask
cheers
Jerry