Axe Sharpness

417  In the standing position he prepared to be struck,
418  bent forward, revealing a flash of green flesh
419  as he heaped his hair to the crown of his head,
420  the nape of his neck now naked and ready.
421  Gawain grips the axe and heaves it heavenwards,
422  plants his left foot firmly on the floor in front,
423  then swings it swiftly towards the bare skin.
424  The cleanness of the strike cleaved the spinal cord
425  and parted the fat and the flesh so far
426  that that bright steel blade took a bite from the floor.
427  The handsome head tumbles onto the earth
428  and the king's men kick it as it clatters past.