A LIGHT BEYOND THE DARKNESS

Gilraen's villanelle

There is no cause to frown and say,
With doubtful glance and lip pursed tight,
"Gilraen's lord is grim and grey."

As lips pursue their questing way
And meeting eyes are sparked alight,
There is no cause to frown and say

"He is as January to May
And to my mind it's not quite right
Gilraen's lord is grim and grey."

As cunning fingers creep and play
And muffled laughter fills the night,
There is no cause to frown and say,

As skilful tongue takes speech away
Down paths of many-hued delight,
"Gilraen's lord is grim and grey."

Now pleasure strains against delay
And dark dissolves in waves of light,
There is no cause to frown and say
"Gilraen's lord is grim and grey."

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Arathorn's sonnet

I did not know how fast my tongue was tied
To duty's post, until you loosed the chain.
Constrained so long to speak of aught allied
To shadow, orphaned child and widow's pain,
It lost all power to move beyond those bounds,
So now 'tis dumb to tell of what I feel:
Of friendship, wit, ardour, soft voice that sounds
As morning larkrise, wonder, sheen of steel,
Fair and silken skin and secret look,
Starlit eyes, inviting hips and waist,
Laughter, loving hands, and joy that took
My breath away.  Now does it yearn to taste
Not tell of your rich loveliness, search out all ways
To feast upon your bounty, sing your praise.