MY CHILDREN: REFLECTIONS FROM THE SHIRE

A/N:  Thanks to Dreamflower for betaing. This poem is dedicated to Elanor, for it was inspired by my reading of the latest chapter of her breath-taking story, The Secret Gate (http://entropyhouse.com/elanor/secretgate.html). 

Everything in this poem belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien's wonderful world.  Were that it actually existed.

You left me once before, my children,

As you had too great a burden.

One that was laid here on our door,

And would change your fate forevermore.

Destiny took you to far off lands,

Where you all volunteered your helping hands.

Hands that could aid; and hearts filled with hope,

Your joyous voices did help all cope.

And when all was won, your duty paid,

Your hearts turned to home; your love did not fade.

With valour and love, you conquered our foes,

My sons, you protected me from darkest woes.

The price was high for all to bear,

One son lost, carried over the sea to heal in Elven air.

The three that remained bound together as one,

And realised their work here was not yet done.

With duty and love, to my bosom you clung,

Until the sea to yet another had sung.

Thus called to go heal, you did take your leave,

And the two that remained, in part they did grieve.

We’d get by, my bonny two lads, did we say,

Though on borrowed time did we know, through your gift of the fey.

For though your hearts and your heads were bound to our land,

I knew even then to far off homes you’d one day remand.

And so when wives passed, and families were grown,

To distant family from youth you have once more flown.

So now, my dear sons, all four of you have gone,

May peace come to you all, my sons, and then we have won.