Written for Marigold’s Challenge #31, which was to write something about Bilbo.
Included in the envelope with Bilbo’s ring, Will and other documents was this poem.
My Greatest Adventure
My greatest adventure came not at night
In the glow of the trolls’ campfire light
Neither does Rivendell come even close
To the time of my life I value the most
Outwitting gollums and strange magic rings
Are small and trite next to much grander things
Sneaking past goblins and vanquishing foes
Could not even curl the hair on my toes
It came not when Eagles swooped from the sky
As goblins and wolves tried to claw at my thigh
Nor did it come when a man turned to bear
And lobs in trees slung my friends in midair
Fleeing from Mirkwood on river-bound barrel
Does not even earn but two lines in this carol
And neither does Smaug with his pile of jewels
And certainly not those war-happy fools
Hold anything up to my greatest treasure
That came to me in my years of leisure
It came not with promise of jewels or of gold
Nor anything else of which I’ve just told
Your promise was humble, fragile but true
Held in the eyes of the purest bright blue
All you could offer were simple delights
Long summer rambles and warm autumn nights
Digging in dirt for the seeds of a bloom
Hiding while I sought through every room
Staying up late to listen to stories
Of a crazy hobbit’s unusual glories
Trailing behind me through the market square
And pouring honey all over my hair
Giving me gifts for no other reason
Than wanting to mark the changing season
Not even grief could dampen your spirit
You sing with love for all who can hear it
Hearing you laugh and seeing you smile
Will always make my heart glow a long while
If there’s still any doubt I’ll say it plain
In all of my travels I never did gain
A treasure so dear to me, for it is true
My greatest adventure has always been you
GF 8/2/06