By the Sword

Live by the sword,
die by the same.

Which sword you choose
makes a difference —
so many from which to choose —
scimitar, cutlass, saber, rapier.
Katana, swift and clean;
claymore, a pounding cut;
gladius, short hot thrust.

You end up open to the sky no matter what.

Do you choose the one you’ll carry
to determine the way you’ll fall?

What if
you just don’t bother
to choose a weapon of your own at all —
picking up one dropped
by a fallen comrade
or enemy?

And if you simply
stand there empty handed,
will you assuredly fall?