A Song of Valinor -or- Lament for the Trees

December 4, 2002

When the sun’s first banners were unfurled

upon the margins of the World,

and pale the moon in silver shone

while through tall grasses wind was blown,

and stars in sparkling white would wield

their light throughout the sky’s broad field,

there sits beside the silent streams,

amidst the stones, one sits and dreams

about the Day before the days

when moon did shine and sun did blaze:

the Days when still yet bloomed the Trees;

the lands of Earth were filled with ease,

for not yet weary was the World,

before the mortal lights unfurled.

The elder tree Telperion

with silver light in dark green shone;

fair Laurelin with golden fruits,

sleek and shining luminous roots.

But perished they and darkness fell,

and now in mortal lands we dwell.

And so one sits beside the streams

lost within his Elvish dreams

remembering with sighing strain

the day when he did not know pain