A Non-Regular Ode To The Zaporozhian Legion

Raucous flows the Don, full with fire and sword -

Exhausted, two weary warriors alight their horses.
setting up camp for the night, they lay coal and spit.
The King praises Mazeppa for his horsemanship.

Good old boys from beyond the rapids there
foraging… hunting… trapping honey…
seasonally they quit their freebooting ways
to raid for steeds and other delicacies

Transiting celestial planes, Ursa in pursuit
the two ride fast for the ville of Prryndygrystrr
to play at the games, to tilt at la fortuna
I too dream of fortune - ‘round me in tatters

In Sheboygan, city elders drop silvered coins
on roads where grizzled pachyderms promenade
I'll tell you a secret my friend, I began this life
gliding thermals over dancing hills of Cazadero

Forgive pogroms, acquit cleansing crusades
time is ugly… I dare not allow myself to feel
best be autonomous, better severed littoral
weeping acid tears to chisel my topography

Cloak yields dagger, yields fire-filled minds
golden hordes roam wild fields without end
ancient kin of Bosphorus buried now - all one

Kiss me fools, this means I love you.