Beowulf Hesitates

At the ocean’s edge

where cold grey waves
break upon sharp black stones
the knör ship waits to take us home.
We leave Hrothgar’s bloodied hall
having done our doom upon
the beast and his mother.

Our shields are cracked
our spears are splintered
and some of us
have felt death’s embrace
but Heorot
and all Hrothgar’s realm is saved.

But before we sail for Geatland
where we will enjoy the acclaim
our deeds have earned,
 a thought occurs
and I hesitate to board the ship,
And it is this:

The monster has been slain,
for his cruelty and his wrath
but I am like that son of Cain.
And man, each man, every man
must die. I am not immune.
The wyrms of death will come for me.