Battle of Horns

Grazed in meadows and fields of green
Surrounded by mountains and waters serene
A forest so rich it filled every need
This was the home of the great horned steed

Up in the mountains, of more rock than flower
Lived another horned beast of untamed power
The head of a bull, the torso of man
Hooves for feet on which to stand

But ages ago, generations past
Peace in the valley did not last
A feud broke out, a battle grew
The horns they clashed, sparing few

And grew apart these two great races
To share no more equal spaces
Apart they stayed and time did pass
Till two came together in swaying grass

The day was long and the sun was hot
They found the hate hadn't rot
The unicorn stomped, and nodded wildly
The minotaur stood and snorted mildly

The man-bull lowered, poised for attack
Placed hands in front and arched his back
The unicorn glared, scraped hoof to ground
Then silence intense for miles around

Up on hinds, he started to run
The ox man followed, the battle begun
Horns clashed as swords, brutal and fierce
Swift and sure, they found hide to pierce

The duel raged till twilight shone
With no champion declared, hope had grown
Useless they thought, this act of war
For each forgot what they fought for

"Not kings nor land, not money nor wife,
Shouldn't we fight for a better life?"
"Aye, friends we'll be, your kind and mine,
As brethren we'll stay, for all our time."

That is how it came to be known
Hate cast out and new roots grown
That day was seen a truce reborn
And laid to rest the Battle of Horns.