Pariah's Claim...

I hold a debt
given to me freely by kin
I claim this debt
along with another
a life debt owed me in battle

I demand mediation
A thief has taken the fruits of my labors

the labors of a writer
the piecing together of history
and old ideas
forged into new understandings

This thief
cowardly and weak
not strong enough to hold his hoard
not strong enough to face me
naked and unarmed

pays out with his stolen baubles
to hire the swords of warriors
who know not the truth of things
only that a rich thief pays

I have faced your nobler warriors
and they have stood aside
I have faced your black assassins
their knives wet with the blood of lambs
and they feared me

I stand fast and claim the right
to credit for my sweat and thought
payment for the product I created
a great work that has given many
employment and profit

Those who stand protecting the thief
step aside
he can hide laughing
behind his pillars of law
for only so long

I call him out
I call out those who are witness to his thievery
those who have profited

As you would not steal
the pay or food
of your warriors and builders

I will be paid as well
for my work
which you have benefited from

I would have them know
that it is MY work
not yours, thief
that fills their plates
and pays their salaries

My House has been burned
My kin and community turned
against me
Madman, Addict, Beggar,
and worse
I have been called

I am none of these

I hold a mirror to my accusers
and they are gnarled and black
within its reflection
each claim against me
they hold greater
within their own
black hearts

Long ago I put aside my sword
to take up the brush and pen
to walk in peace
to gently protect
the weak
now I oil my scabbard
with tears in my eyes
wishing only to walk the shore
and watch the sun

A thief would hide
behind Law
and claim the right
to steal and keep his takings

I will have none of it
I will call to his own warriors
his women
the builders of his house
Let us parley
before War

I tell you this:
an agreement was made between us
I and the thief
an agreement for compensation
sealed with a handshake
these things seem to mean nothing now
in these days without honor

I hold two debts of your warrior clan
a blood debt
and another debt held by my kin
freely given me

Is the honor
of agreements and debts
now hollow?

I call for mediation
Now.