All these poems are reflecting the loss and sadness I felt at the end of Season 4 of Xena:Warrior Princess. Even though I knew the show was continuing the following season and the next, I couldn’t get the images out of my mind. The following sets of poetry reflect those attempts on my part. I cannot even imagine how I would have felt had I seen this happen to friends in real life. This was bad enough.

Bill the Semi Bard (July 2001)

Our Final Path

from the Xena 'White' scroll,

by Gabrielle of Poteidaia

For death Caesar wanted my very best friend,

and men came to hunt Xena her goodness to end.

She beat them and went off to kill him in kind,

to protect me she asked, "Gabrielle, stay behind."

Then Caesar's men captured me, put me in chains,

to crucify me and draw Xena's dread fangs.

And it worked for she left off, to save us returned,

to me and the other friends that his hate earned.

She freed us and stalked on her Warrior's Path,

while we fled she protected and fought on with wrath.

But Callisto unlooked for had come and returned,

her lust for revenge upon Xena still burned.

She stole Xena's chakram and while she fought watched,

went insane with rage as she saw her plans botched.

I saw her as Xena was winning that fight,

"No!" she screamed then, threw the chakram with spite.

The hard flying disk from Callisto's hand spun,

and shattered as it struck her, my dear belov'd one.

She collapsed to the ground in slow motion it seemed,

I couldn't believe it, I think that I screamed.

Then a Roman rushed up, to her helpless life take,

I grabbed and threw spear then, he died for her sake.

Now my Xena was down, coward's blow to her back,

I grabbed up her sword, I must save her, attack!

My anger unchecked I slayed Romans come near,

"Get up, Xena, RUN!" I screamed through my fear.

I spun and I twirled and without mercy killed,

I had to protect her, sheer rage my mind filled.

My efforts for naught, "I can't move," she sobs out,

"It's my spine, Gabrielle," but I still madly fought.

If my life it was forfit I cared not you see,

I had to save her who had always saved me.

"No, Gabrielle," she crys, "don't lose your Love Path,"

But I plunged the sword into them, felt only wrath.

A blow knocked the sword from my hand, I charged low,

I smashed him down, used his own knife on my foe.

Now a'sudden I catch in the edge of my view,

in my hand the blade dripping, the sight that I rue,

from so long ago when my first kill it was made,

and Meridian died willing on the point of my blade.

I realized then all the things I'd just done,

my friend's body was broken and she could not run,

and that soldiers had paid for the ferryman's fee,

for the two of us death now was coming to see.

I stopped and went calm then, no more could I do,

but die with my friend each a cross for we two.

They took us then, stripped us of clothing and pride,

in a sackcloth each dressed for the crosses we'd ride.

Now she lays on my lap, can't move save her head,

she awakens and looks at me, "C-crying?" she said.

I bend down and kiss her, my best friend in this life,

we've both come it seems to the end of our strife.

"I'm sorry," she says with tears, "you left your path,"

"I chose friendship," I swallow, "I'm happy with that."

"I wish I'd just once read the scrolls that you wrote,"

"You'd have enjoyed them," sad pride chokes my throat.

We look up and there bitch Callisto stands calm,

she's triumphed and written the end of our psalm.

Now they come in and take us out for our last walk,

they drag Xena, march me along towards what we've fought.

They tie us down there on wood crosses so cruel,

take up the hammer, the spikes and the tools.

We look to each other, at this last chance to tell,

she says, "You're the best part of my life, Gabrielle,"

"And I love you, Xena," I smile soft as rain,

then we both look away to prepare for the pain,

and it comes down like thunder, iron spikes driven deep,

one nail for each hand and one spike for both feet.

I cannot describe the pain, won't even try,

to think of it even brings tears to my eye.

Then they pulled us up into the air full of snow,

and the crosses thumped straight down and into the holes.

While we hang there in agony, both look away,

ashamed each to see what the other must pay.

And finally the darkness comes welcome and calm,

and I don't know the pain anymore, it's such balm.

Then I hear her love's voice speaking somewhere to me,

"Gabrielle," and my green eyes her sweet face do see.

She floats there before me and in pain no more,

I realize we're free and our spirits both soar.

Our hands now touch soft and there's beautiful light,

that surrounds both of us and we smile with delight.

Now we both hold on tight as some wonder appears,

and I sense our two tales just beginning from here.

And somehow I know we're not through with this place,

so please don't cry for us, wipe the tears from your face,

for we'll go on and on, and together we'll be,

our two souls linked with love ... until eternity.

Translated by

WLMcCord (c) 5/21/99

==================================================

After the Xena 4^th Season ender, Ides of March in 1999, I was devastated with the images of Xena and Gabrielle on the cross. I wrote poem after poem trying to get out my sadness and anger. Requiem Eight was one of the results of all that angst. It consists of eight different poems, each in a different style and feel, reflecting the personalities and memories of their closest friends and family (as indeed it reflects my own feelings at the time). Looking back on all this now (July 2001) after the show is over, I am feeling some of the same things again with the final episode of Season 6, titled A Friend In Need. Funny how it all came back again.

---Bill the Semi Bard-July 2001

Requiem Eight

by WLMcCord (c) 5-25-99

Oh gods, Gabrielle, when I heard,

of your death on the cross I was stirred,

I wept then for days that were gone,

when we played or we talked until dawn.

Now I'll never forget you dear sis,

your laugh and your smile I will miss.

My big sister you always will be,

and I'd rather it would have been me,

for you had so much love that you gave,

and were far too soon put in your grave.

Oh, I love you, dear Gab, and I pray,

to the gods who live so far away,

that you and your Xena have peace,

since your lives on this earth came to cease.

Lila

=========================

Gabrielle, I brought flowers,

again wept for hours,

for the second time dead,

where Xena had led,

why, Gabby, why,

did you have to die?

I loved you, you know,

from that very first blow,

on my head with the staff,

and your smile and your laugh,

made me crumple inside,

took my soul for a ride,

but you just never saw,

how you rubbed my heart raw,

'cause I was such a dope,

now you're dead, all I hope,

when I come to my end,

you'll be waiting... my friend.

Joxer

==========================

Oh, my little one, I cannot say,

how this news of you darkened my day.

What's a mother to do but to cry,

when the daughter she loved comes to die.

For ten years I held shame in my heart,

evil warlord you were at the start,

but when you came back proudly said,

"Mother, I'll do good instead,"

my heart it went soft and I sighed,

"You're my little one back from your ride."

Since then you've been happy and sad,

and once you've been driven quite mad.

You lost my grandson, and your friend,

but you made it back safe in the end.

And now your long road has come home,

you and Gabrielle victims of Rome.

Oh, my little one, you have my love,

and my prayer I'll see you up above.

Cyrene

============================

Xena, what more can I say?

You were inside my body that day.

You knew what I thought,

how my heart was caught,

but you didn't let me lose my way.

That ring, Gabrielle, that you took?

From my finger, just listen don't look.

Sure you got that ring,

but of Thieves I'm the king!

I knew! I'm not easy to rook.

When I kissed you I knew who it was,

who was really behind mustache fuzz,

Xena kissed l'il Gabs,

if you wanna keep tabs,

But on her butt MY hand truly was.

Now you're dead and I wish you alive,

The both of you still at my side.

What a team we three made,

and your faces won't fade,

in my memories you'll always abide.

Autolycus

=============================

Darling daughter when you went away,

following that Xena one day.

So angry I was I didn't even say,

I love you, be safe, now I have to pay.

For Romans took your life to slay,

on a cross with your warrior did lay.

When small on my shoulders I carried you,

nursed you when sick or unhappy too.

Now I never can speak my love to you,

please forgive a father who never knew,

what a fool he was, now all I can do,

is close my eyes and grieve for you.

Forgive your foolish father.

Herotodus

==============================

Xena, aw, why?

Gabrielle, you have my,

sympathy now,

you two took your last bow.

Me with your whip,

made villians to skip,

but I never was Xena,

you were lots meana.

But I thought that you,

were a couple of two,

side-kick and hero,

while I was a zero.

But my good frying pan,

cooked the fat of the land,

and I'm proud that it did,

helped you villians to rid.

I'll miss you bold two,

wanted to be like you,

and now I shed tears,

goodnight my poor dears.

Minya

========================

Xena you helped me to find my path,

taught me not to fear anyones wrath.

Gabrielle, of desciples you're first,

in the path of love taught you emersed.

I say truly you never did fail,

the cross wasn't the end of your tale.

Yes, together you died with your friend,

but your souls they never will end,

for you'll go on and on,

to the edge of the dawn,

and I know you've found peace,

in your final release,

so then why do I cry for friends lost?

Oh, I'll miss you both, tears are the cost.

Eli

====================================

Dear Xena, you gave me a chance,

showed me to behave in the dance,

that the warrior must follow,

or her life is just hollow,

and you said, "Amarice, she's seen pain,

enough to drive her insane,

but she still keeps to love,

and the way of the dove",

I guess I was shocked when she came back out,

for your life fought and died with no doubt.

Oh, Gabrielle, with words I'm no good,

but when before your cross I stood,

I finally saw what Xena meant,

when she said that you were heaven sent,

for you died with your friend,

and oh, what better end,

could there be in this life,

full of heartache and strife,

and I'm sorry that I was so mean,

for you truly were amazon queen.

Amarice

==================================================

High Spirits

From the Xena "White" Scroll

by Gabrielle of Poteidaia

Xena, I hear you, I'm floating on air,

it is your blue eyes smiling before me, I swear.

My hands and my feet, they all feel strange,

there are for some reason no more ugly pains.

Can you tell me dear friend where it is that we are?

How is it that I can feel so up to par?

For when last I remember, we'd given our all,

said our goodbyes, nailed on crosses so tall.

Dear Xena, please, can you tell me just where,

it is that we are, what's this feeling so rare?

I thought I was killed but wound up here instead,

when I knew I was going to the amazon dead.

And you my dear warrior, in Tartarus end,

on a cross for eternity nailed and penned,

floating across plains of fire below,

but that's not what this is, so why is this so?

Xena, please tell me, you've always spoke true,

and never lied to me 'cept once that I knew.

I'll believe you, you see, whatever you say,

so tell me where it is we are on this day?

There you are floating in robes of pure white,

your blue eyes are loving, I smile at the sight.

"Remember that even in death," you then said,

"We'll never be parted, no tears will we shed."

Death? I think fearful, but how can this be?

I'm feeling just fine now, I feel just like me.

But then I look down, see the crosses and snow,

two forms on them hanging look dead head to toe,

they're familiar and sudden I know that it's we,

I'm shaken and fear pulls my soul down to see.

But you take my hands gently, I float up again,

you smile at me sweet and I give a faint grin.

So tell me please, Xena, do you know where we are?

There's such a pure light and no trouble so far.

You shake your head, smile, press my hands to your heart,

and I feel the beginnings of joyousness start,

as I hug you and lay my face on your strong chest,

you smile and your chin on my head seems to rest.

"I love you, oh, dear Gabrielle," you soft say.

And I smile, "I love you, too," as we float away.

Translated by WLMcCord (c) 6-28-99

Dedicated to Rhyysm, who has the soul of a poet,

and dear Shanie whose Xena images have stirred my soul.

==========================================

Twin Crosses Empty

by WLMcCord (c) 7-15-99

Soft beams of moonlight on the snow,

two empty crosses bloody show.

The whispering wind soft speaks two names,

and makes a shudder in our veins.

One lain to die a warrior tall,

and her best friend a bard so small,

who both for what they thought was right,

joined their lives and fought the fight.

Now Gabrielle, the sweet fair bard,

and Xena bold, the warrior hard,

were crucified at Caesar's whims,

the cruel nails driven to their limbs.

Their cross of pain is empty now,

where hideous death sight did allow.

And Caesar too is dead they say,

the Ides of March have made him pay.

But where went these two crucified?

Did hang there bleeding till they died?

They are not there, so do they live?

The whispering wind does not word give.

The Romans in the morning come,

stare at the empty crosses, dumb.

And whispers start, "They are alive!"

"How could two women this contrive?"

Now fearful Romans fortress close,

because the threat that ghosts do pose.

And so those empty crosses stand,

and word like fire spreads through the land.

Of Poteidaia's sweet bard small,

the Amphipolous warrior woman tall,

who beat the odds and made it through,

and so the gladsome rumors grew.

And we smile tears and gladness share,

for our two women heroes rare,

But... are they dead, or do they live?

The silent night does not word give...

===============================================

WLMcCord (c) 6-6-1999

Flight to the Beginning

From the Xena 'White' Scroll

by Gabrielle of Poteidaia

Wind ruffles my hair as we float hand in hand,

away from those bodies our crosses command.

I look at her, warrior, savior, best friend,

and know that our time here, is now at an end.

She looks back and smiles and I feel such a peace,

for together we've won to our final release.

"I love you, dear Xena," I say as we fly,

and the way that she looks at me makes my heart sigh.

Her blue eyes they shine with a wisdom and love,

and her smile as she speaks is from heaven above.

"Oh, Gabrielle, best friend, dear bard, I love you,

and together we'll be from now on, just we two."

She kisses my hands, and we hug in midair,

so joyful and happy; released; feels so rare.

The crosses that held us to earth left behind,

with the pain and the terror and the hate of mankind.

Now Callisto and Caesar, those demons who tortured,

and wanted to conquer the world for their orchard,

we've left far behind though they think they have won,

for on crosses they broke us, our bodies were done,

but we fooled them; escaped to this wonderful place,

and we look to each other with smiles on our face.

For here we are in the non-ending blue sky,

we float here together, need ne'er say good-bye.

So we fly toward the sunset, join birds on the wing,

and so joyful our hearts that we both want to sing,

and the earth is so far below, dingy and gray,

and we laugh to think we were afraid of this day.

Then a choir of beautiful voices sings loud,

and we fly up towards these lovely sounds in the cloud.

"But hark, do you hear that, oh Xena, my dear?"

The world below's crying and moaning from fear.

Through the music the voices of earth crying out,

the laughter of tormentors spreads hate and doubt.

We stop and we listen, and pause in our flight,

we glance at each other, something is not right.

Cruel warlords and evil men seek to control,

the good and the weak of earth paying the toll.

You look at me, and I see sadness in you,

and I know in a flash that it's up to we two.

"We've got to go back," I say, "our work's not through,

the world, it still needs us, there's plenty to do."

And Xena, you smile like the sunrise and laugh,

"Oh, Gabrielle, dear one, come pick up your staff!

There's bad men to harry, and countries to save,

we don't have the time to just lie in our graves!"

I grin and embrace you, "I love you," I shout,

you say, "I love you too, Gab, let's turn about!"

"But wait," I say worried, "you know that we're dead,

on crosses both hung; how to do this?" I said.

"I don't know," you say, "but let's try our best,

I don't feel quite ready, for my final rest."

Then a bell rings somewhere, a deep voice it speaks,

"Your jobs are not finished, you've not hit your peaks!"

And suddenly we're bathed in beautiful light,

it's as if we are glowing within, what a sight.

And the light shines to earth; makes us a clear path,

and we both look at each other, smile and laugh.

"Shall we?" you say as we gaze down to earth,

"Yes, let's," I cry happy and we laugh with mirth.

We clasp hands together, hold tight and float down,

and there's music around us, such wonderful sound,

as we come towards our bodies on crosses hung high,

we're ready this time for whatever comes nigh...

You smile, I smile, don't know what's in store,

but together we'll face it ... fight evil once more.

Translated by WLMcCord, (c), 9/19/1999