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The Lion and The Swan ~ A Poem  by ErinRua 4 Review(s)
Chathol-linnReviewed Chapter: 1 on 8/29/2004
Hello! I have read and reviewed this poem before, so ErinRua knows how much I love it. The poem deserves many more reviews.

What do I like? Well, for starters, I like the way ErinRua captures the feelings of a young woman who has just crossed the brink of womanhood and found the love of her life in the unlikely person of the Rohirric knight. How alone she feels when making this journey!

... "But now my seas are waves of grass,
And winds bear rumor from afar
Of snow upon the frowning peaks
And rain on stern and silent hills.
The very air is scented strange...

"The vault of sky bears not a sound
And 'midst that endless whisp'ring space
I shrink within, a small, lost thing
Cast far upon the winds of chance ...
Alas my homeward shores are lost."

Then comes the description of Eomer, and does she ever get it right, a total connection to the time and place where we imagine Lothiriel must live; and a perfect distillation of strength and eroticism:

"Now hark! A step within the hall,
And comes the master of this house.
He paces like a tethered lion,
This golden king, this warrior's son.
Pale eyes burn with kindled flame
And strength and power rest in his hand;
Born to hauberk, sword and spear,
He is the Mark; the Mark is him....

"But oh I see a light within,
I feel a trembling in his touch.
So soft his lips touch mine and then
He smiles into my eyes and speaks;
Sweet words that lift my heart awhirl..."

And we realize that Lothiriel has as great or greater an impact on him. We see the reciprocity, the mutual nature of the love they share:

"For though we come from lands apart,
One borne of sea, the other sky,
We twain are joined in matchless bonds
And all he treasures, so shall I.
I am his and he is mine;
My king rests in my cradled arms,
His golden head upon my breast,
Whilst slumber doth caress his brow.
Sleep, my king, my matchless love,
And rest 'til duty calls thee forth,
For I shall guard thy gentle rest
As thou hast guarded e're my heart."


Great lines. It makes me want to fall in love. Whoof. This is without a doubt the best lyrical love poem I've ever read. Regards - Chathol-linn



RozzanReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/24/2004
That is one the most beautiful poems I have read.

Elena TirielReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/4/2004
That is just so lovely! Your imagery is beautiful, and the contrasts and similarities between the two - Eomer and Lothiriel, Rohan and Dol Amroth - are like two sides of the same coin.

I usually don't read poems, but this one speaks to my heart... Thank you for sharing it with us!

- Barbara

Author Reply: I'm late in responding, but I wanted to say Thank You for your review, especially if you're not one for poetry. I know poems are not the biggest draw nor even what I most often write, but this one ... just came to me. I'm ever so pleased to hear that you enjoyed it! Thank you!

ChiggerReviewed Chapter: 1 on 2/2/2004
Beautiful! So gentle and yet strong; as free flowing as the ocean and yet smooth as a stream, you have done a wonderful job with this. :) Lately I've been coming to know Lothiriel more and more, and this has added yet another glorious building block to her structure in my mind, yet another facet to the gem which is her sweet, loving personality. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Author Reply: As above, I'm late in replying, but nonetheless grateful! Chigger, you are such a dear and kind reviewer - can I keep you? *G* I'm very happy you liked this and also very happy that I was able to feed something good to your perception of Lothiriel. Thanks for the review!

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