The Long Road
By DJ Dubois
Originally Posted to the Bards' Village 06/01
While riding down the road with her best friend
Xena couldn't believe that the jumbled journey would soon end.
How many ventures?
How many distinct doubts?
Certainly, there had been amazing adventures
And others were they had nearly been out.
And where there was a wonderful warrior
There would be those who would wish to destroy her.
Callisto wanted to exact revenge for her village.
Several warlords wanted her to return to a life of pillage.
Alti wanted her potent power.
Caesar and Rome wanted to see her cower
Lucifer sought her damnation as well
So, as to claim her soul for Hell.
There have been too many enemies to name
To many mourning memories to recall
From the tumultuous times of her shushed shame
For Gabrielle's scrolls to explain in any hall
Along the way, friends and companions had appeared
Waiting to comfort the harried heroes during each passing year.
Iolaus, Joxer, and Eli among several others
Loomed large in her thoughts almost like brothers.
Sisters too, there had been
Always there to help around every bend.
Amarice, Yakut, Ephiny, and more
With them around, evil would reign never more.
However, three people had long stood out
Convincing the wandering warrior to change her ways with their clout.
It had been Hercules' wisdom which had given her the chance
To change the tune of her dance
In "Unchaining her Heart"
He allowed her to apply a new means to her awesome art
Eve had been her hope later on
After a quarter century had gone
Now, she preaches and patiently guides
Those people whom the gods have turned aside.
Lastly, there was Gabrielle
Whose coming awoke her like a bonging bell
The light from the babbling bard
Made sure that life never got too hard.
And so, once again, she stirred from her rambling reverie
Over the winding road stretching over hill, dale, and sea.
A long road it had proved
A long road it still would be
But, oh! How much had it her spirits moved!
Over what had seemed an exacting eternity
And how lucky have we all been
To witness this passage
With our archives to insure there will never be an end
To our heroes' message
Battle On!
DJD
06/01