Voices of Middle-Earth by Armariel
Farawyn · 18 August 2005 · Chapter 31: Orphan Eyes (Theoden)
*sigh* that was unbelieveably lovely.... you made me cry! Evil you! You're not supposed to make a person cry on their birthday! But they were somewhat happy tears, I think..... Thank you. I couldn't have asked for a better.
Author's reply
Evil me? hmmmmmm *g* Anyway, Happy Birthday and I hope you get lots more nice presents! xoxoxx Armariel~~~{~@ iiiii ~@~@~@~ {*|*|*} ~~~~~~~~~ /**\ here's a nice birthday cake for you *g*
Larner · 18 August 2005 · Chapter 29: Discovery (Legolas)
Yes. Just, YES!
Author's reply
At the time I re-read the passage that inspired this poem, I happened, coincidentally, to read also a story based on it on this site, in which Legolas gets a very negative impression of the caverns in it--they are "cold" and "dark" or something like that. The story was funny and cute, but I rather like to believe that Leggi just fell in love with those caves! How could he not?
Larner · 18 August 2005 · Chapter 28: White....... (Gandalf)
Quite a look at Saruman, turning from purity to servility masquerading as power.
Author's reply
The higher up they are, the more tragic their fall, surely! I'm wondering if Tolkien was familiar with the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne? His Saruman seems very akin to Hawthorne's mad scientists who fall hard from the sin of pride and trying to play God, and end up taking the office of the devil instead.
Larner · 18 August 2005 · Chapter 26: To Be Alone (Galadriel)
The promise of the Ring? The blend between truth and lies that serve to bewilder and beguile?
Author's reply
It's more like what Frodo says at the end, that some people have to give things up so that others may keep them. Still, there is surely a reward for those who do so. Isn't there? The seeking of truth surely could lead to the stars or to the pit. And some of us must strive to reach the stars in order to save others from the pit, whether the pit is perdition, loss of freedom, ignorance, or just plain ugliness....or all of the above. And ironically, those we wish to save don't know or care that we are doing it!
Larner · 18 August 2005 · Chapter 12: Farewell Lullaby (Frodo)
I'd not read this before. Oh, it is so appropriate a prayer from Frodo for Elanor and his beloved Sam.
Author's reply
I'd love to believe Elanor was a tremendous comfort to Sam...hope so anyway. I'd like to think she was a bit of a daddy's girl and that she was his favorite....maybe? xoxx Armariel~~~{~@
Larner · 18 August 2005 · Chapter 5: The Gardener Speaks (Sam)
Still one of the most beautiful tributes to the love Sam bore for Frodo I've yet read. Don't remember if I reviewed it before, but it is so very gorgeous. The gardener's love for the dearer-than-brother.
Author's reply
You did review it before, and now I feel doubly honored! I think this was either the first or second LotR poem I ever wrote. Written in the spring or summer of 2003, when I first got hooked, and discovered my inner Elf who could write poetry as well as fictions. Thanks so much! xoxox Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 7 August 2005 · Chapter 30: Three Haiku (Boromir)
*to the old* of the new *world's* worth
Farawyn · 7 August 2005 · Chapter 30: Three Haiku (Boromir)
Hey Armariel!!! Thought you might like this: Ode Arthur William O'Shaughnessy We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world forever, it seems. With wonderful deathless ditties We build up the world's great cities, And out of a fabulous story We fashion an empire's glory: One man with a dream, at pleasure, Shall go forth and conquer a crown; And three with a new song's measure Can trample an empire down. We, in the ages lying In the buried past of the earth, Built Ninevah with our singing, And Babel itself with our mirth; And o'erthrew them with prophesying Totheold of the new wotld's worth; For each age is a dream that is dying, Or one that is coming to birth.
Author's reply
Oh my, thanks! I've seen this one before, but not in a lonnnnggggggg time! It's lovely...although its rhyme-scheme is a trifle odd and inconsistent. He makes up for that with the music of the words, however. It would be nice to think we poets and dreamers could really overthrow evil regimes, what? xoxox Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 26 July 2005 · Chapter 30: Three Haiku (Boromir)
Unfortunatly, it is really hot here!!! It got to 102 yesterday, and it's 99 as I write this. And we didn't have air conditioning until a couple days ago. Anyway. I have a birthday present request from my favorite author on the site! I am requesting an Eowyn - Theodwyn conversation (or just one talking to the other) after Eomund's death. Bittersweet, sweet, sad, comforting, whatever you want. And my B-day is the 18th of August, just in case you want a deadline. Thank you if you consider this. Farawyn
Author's reply
Eek!! been hot here too. As I heard a man say the other day, hotter than pepper pudding! And no airconditioning? *ulp* you poor dear....I'd be totally melted by now.............. Welllllll, that leaves me about 3 weeks, yes? I am flattered by the request! Will start thinking of it right away....nice idea! xoxx Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 22 July 2005 · Chapter 30: Three Haiku (Boromir)
I love the third -- "Forgive me; I failed." I cried at that. Many people think that Boromir just was an evil man, I believe that he would have felt deep remourse for attempting to take the Ring from Frodo.
Author's reply
I've never thought he was evil at all, just misguided in his thinking. Of course, I found out long ago I'm not alone in liking the movie version of him much better than the book version. I see him as a tragic figure who fell from a great height, and found his redemption at the price of his own life. Maybe even a bit Shakespearian. Hmmm, what to write about next...................... xoxox Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 22 July 2005 · Chapter 29: Discovery (Legolas)
Sorry I didn't review sooner, I was on vacation. That was very beautiful. I just knew you would write a poem from Legolas' POV. My favorite line: And I have learned the freshness of that which once was acrid, foreign, barricaded, aloof; I have learned to ascend and stretch in your untried shine and acclimate my soul to the richness of your valor... That was lovely. Now for the next!!!
Author's reply
THanks! I just knew it too LOL Welcome back, wondered where you'd been keeping yourself! Hope it's not as hot where you are as it is here...eek! blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@
Eruanna · 21 July 2005 · Chapter 30: Three Haiku (Boromir)
A lovely and sad little tribute to Boromir. I especially like the last one, and the way the horn becomes a symbol for Boromir himself. Blessings, Eruanna
Author's reply
Thank you! The last one was the one I wrote first, strangely enough....I know this isn't one of my best by a long shot, but I couldn't resist answering the challenge! xoxox Armariel~~~{~@
shirebound · 19 July 2005 · Chapter 29: Discovery (Legolas)
two beings who once stood at blade's edge wishing not to cross into the spheres of each other's glowering but now bear friendship's colors and rejoice in the distant singing of waves that shall bear us to chambers yet unknown. This is absolutely beautiful.
Author's reply
oooooohhhh thank you *gggggggg* I think this is one of my own favorites too................ xoxx Armariel~~~{~@
Eruanna · 18 July 2005 · Chapter 29: Discovery (Legolas)
Another lovely descriptive piece. Is there a name for the style/meter you used here? It seems to fit the same pattern in each stanza, and I really like that. (Sorry. I obviously don't know many poetry terms.) The pattern seems to turn the descriptions of the beauty of the caverns in the first stanza into a metaphor for the beauties of friendship in the second, and yet each remains distinct. The touch of the future in the last lines is just vague enough, and lends a touch of poignancy to the whole piece. Another great job. Blessings, Eruanna
Author's reply
hi and thanks, Eruanna! No name, to my knowledge. But yes, I was deliberately trying to make the two verses parallel each other, although I didn't try to make the meters match exactly since I didn't want to feel TOO constricted that way. Just approximately, enough to show Legolas's twin discoveries: that he could find both beauty underground and friendship with a dwarf, neither of which he had ever once supposed he could do before. Just loved that passage in the book--so lovely and touching! Thanks once more for reviewing! xoxx Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 10 July 2005 · Chapter 28: White....... (Gandalf)
That was lovely. Every sentence stayed with your theme, and that surprised me. I kept on thinking "Just watch, she'll go off on something about Frodo ..." but you didn't. Was this, by any chance, also inspired by the idea of the many shades of white in your story "The Drop of a Hat"?
Author's reply
Well, those shades did cross my mind as I was writing it...but it wasn't the original inspiration, which was the passage I quoted in the other review--I guess you read it, right? That passage intrigued me in a way I find hard to explain. I thought of the good pope/bad pope duality--the Pope wears a white robe too, right? and also of the idea of white light being refracted into colors whose beauty could make one lose sight of the actual Light of truth...if that makes any sense, not that the colors are evil in themselves, but they aren't the True Light. Still, bend the Truth and it ceases to be the truth. I've sometimes asked myself, "Why a WHITE hand?" I guess this poem is the answer......of sorts. And yes, I think the bit about the various shades does tie in. Thanks once more for reviewing! blessings, Armariel~~~{~@
Eruanna · 10 July 2005 · Chapter 28: White....... (Gandalf)
Oh. *shivers* That was lovely and creepy, if I may be permitted to use those two words in the same sentence. The whole way through, I was sure it was talking about Gandalf the White, and I was thinking, 'How very perfect.' And then I got to that final stanza... I like that about this poem: you really show what Saruman was like before he fell into darkness. He was wise once, and kind, and loved beautiful things. But sometimes we forget that. It's nice to be reminded. Hum, I hope some of that made sense. This one really blew me away. Keep it up! Blessings, Eruanna
Author's reply
Thanks, glad you like this one! I knew it was kind of a strange poem, and very different from anything I'd ever done before...but that was exactly what I was wanting, to do something different! I just felt like I was starting to repeat myself and was trying to come up with something new. Then this morning I found this passage posted on a message board: '"...here you will stay, Gandalf the Grey, and rest from journeys. For I am Saruman, the Wise, Saruman Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colours!" 'I looked then and saw that his robes, which had seemed white, were not so, but were woven of all colours, and if he moved they shimmered and changed hue so that the eye was bewildered. '"I liked white better,' I said. '"White!" he sneered. "It serves as a beginning. White cloth may be dyed. The white page can be overwritten; and the white light can be broken." '"In which case it is no longer white," said I... ' Seems that was just what the Muse ordered.....the more I look at the result, the more I like it myself! Thanks for reviewing! xoxox Armariel~~~{~@
Crimson · 10 July 2005
This is a wonderful poem. Thank you for posting it. And my prayers go out to you. I'm a Yank, but as the saying goes, we were all Brits on 7/7.
Author's reply
So am I..well, in the Brit sense;) but.......well, what YOU said! Thanks and bless you! Armariel~~~{~@
Jay of Lasgalen · 9 July 2005
There are several of us on SoA who live in the UK, and I thank you for this. The bomber's vision of heaven here contrasts with a comment by one of the rescue workers today. He said 'I don't know what Heaven's like, but I've just seen Hell'. Thanks for your thoughts. Jay
Author's reply
I saw Ground Zero when I was in New York City two years ago (I am from Arkansas), and the stillness about it was positively eerie. It was as if the WTC had never been. It is a hard concept to wrap one's mind around, the idea that someone would actually have enough belief in an eternal reward of wallowing selfish pleasures to fly a plane into a building and kill thousands. The monumental paranoia behind it all has me floored! Where does it all come from? blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 9 July 2005
That is... amazing. I cannot think of any other words. You absolutely have me flabbergasted. It may not have anything to do with LotR, but will you please let me put it email format and forward it to everybody I know? Maybe it would get to London, who knows? If you agree, than I ask everybody who reads this review (if you are the kind of person who reads all the revies to stories, like I do) to send it, also. But aside from the fact that this is horribly sad, this is a wonderful poem. The part about the virgins must be exactly as they think that the suicide bombers will get when they go to "heaven." This was beautiful, again, aside from the fact of what it is about.
Author's reply
Forward it to anyone you like, Dearie! I've sent it to all my mailing lists, on which there are plenty of UK residents. Glad you "got" the part about the virgins. I am always bemused by the fact that the terrorists seem to have such unshakable belief in a "heavenly" reward. Why don't people here have such a belief? Plenty of them claim to, but their actions don't bear them out so much. Thanks so much for reviewing! xoxx RoZ/Armariel~~~{~@
demeter d · 7 July 2005 · Chapter 9: Eowyn's Wedding (Eowyn)
Made me cry. As all of your poems...vivid, real images both for the senses and the heart. So many writers dwell on the possible relationship of Eowyn and Aragorn, and make it sound as though they either hated each other forever, hoaunted poor Faramir with ghosts of might-have-beens, Or were chilly polite ever after. From the books, I would like to believe that Eowyn and Faramir's love could have grown exactly as you describe it. Thank You!
Author's reply
Wow, thanks! I'm thrilled. Yes, I've been a bit dissatisfied with the way some writers depict Eowyn as some lovelorn maiden pining her life away over The Man That Got Away and "settling for" the next best thing that comes along. I'm of the view that she and Faramir were meant for each other and Aragorn was just a bump she hit along the way, knocking her flat on her back for a while but not permanently, by any means, and that she merely grew stronger in the broken places. It's my guess that they lived happily ever after and she and Aragorn remained good friends, sappy optimist that I am;);) blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@
demeter d · 7 July 2005 · Chapter 7: In the Tower (Frodo)
i have but recently discovered Stories of Arda, and came to the world of Tolkein only since the movies. When I was in school in the 1970's, the infamous paperbook set with the odd drawings on the covers was out, and all of my friends were reading it. I read other fantasy and sci-fi, lots of it, just never got around to Tolkein. But when my college-aged daughter brought home the video tape of Jackson's "Fellowship". I became thoroughly addicted and have not looked back since. From books and movies my favorite character quickly became Sam-wise. Your poems here of Sam and Frodo "talking to each other", exactly capture them as I picture them. But I have enjoyed all of your work which I have so far read. Beautiful images!
Author's reply
Hmmm, so did I! Well, I saw "Fellowship" about 3 years ago and was not much impressed...well, I watched it at a bad time and hadn't read the book...but a couple of friends of mine started talking about LotR so much that I started feeling left out, so I decided to take another crack at it, and so I started reading the book. And about 10 or 20 pages into the first one, I was irrevocably hooked! Who'd have thought it? Could hardly stop watching the movies after that! Yes, I think the characters are the biggest part of the story's appeal, along with the themes of friendship and loyalty and courage and sacrifice, which just seem refreshing and vital in this cynical age we live in, and have nearly spoiled me for a lot of modern literature..... I discovered this site about 6 or 7 months ago, and I'm trailing behind most of the authors here, I suppose, who seem to know more about Tolkien than Tolkien did...lol I like the diversity of styles I see among them too, from the ones who create delightful vignettes and drabbles to those who turn out stunningly crafted novel-length tales full of angst and beauty. It seems an honor to be in their company. Thanks for the review--that is so heartwarming and encouraging..... xoxxx Armariel~~~{~@
Eruanna · 3 July 2005 · Chapter 26: To Be Alone (Galadriel)
Well, I've been gone forever, but I've finally gotten a chance to read this lovely poem. As usual, this is another amazing work, and it seems to fit both Frodo and Galadriel herself equally well. The imagery is powerful, beautiful, and in many places rather frightening. I love the image of the Ring-bearer as a kind of Colossus, towering so far above the common folk of earth that they are not even aware of his existence. It seems a sorrowful and yet glorious kind of life, but not one you would chose, I think, unless for the benefit of others you love far more than your own life. Which is exactly why both Frodo and Galadriel do as they do. These two lines seem to capture the beauty and tragedy perfectly: You make counselors of stars but lose all humble flowers. This is profoundly beautiful. Thank you for sharing your talent. Blessings, Eruanna
Author's reply
Sometimes I feel like I've chosen it too, presumptuous as it may sound...maybe we artists all see ourselves that way. Thomas Mann touched on that theme often also--the way we have this love-hate affair with the "common" folk; on the one hand we grow bored and impatient with them and want to rise far above them and consort with the gods, slay monsters, ride on the backs of whales, conquer new worlds. On the other, we have this not so secret desire to be at one with the "bourgeosie", share their simple joys and pleasures and mediocre tastes and homey values. But can we have it both ways? There's the rub! So glad to see you back once more! Pssst--don't know if you noticed or not, but I wrote a new story "The Drop of a Hat"...it's silly and cute, you might like it *g* xoxx Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn · 23 June 2005 · Chapter 26: To Be Alone (Galadriel)
Such a sweet comfort to Frodo, and all who feel that they are alone, even if just for an hour.
Author's reply
Sometimes even well-intentioned friends can drag you down, and keep you from being all you could be. Those with a truly important mission know this well. Like what they say, it's lonely at the top. Still, up there, heaven is just a footstep away.....and so, somehow, is hell. Much safer on the ground....... Or is it?
Liana · 16 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Beauty (Faramir)
Hello, I don't have very much time, so I'm afraid you will have to accept this as a review to all of your poems. Your poetry is exquisite! I have never read finer LotR-centric poems before. And I must say, your title is very ... poetic. It rings true, though, because your poems are not only lowly rhymes, they are the speaking hearts of the "characters." Many of your voices have made me weep, and some have made my heart swell for their sheer lovliness. And the way that you have replied to Farawyn was beautiful. You didn't just write a poem, you used much symbolism, but with a message for the reader tucked inside. I shall be looking forward to another swift update from you soon. Farewell, Liana
Author's reply
Wow Liana!!! Thanks! I am overwhelmed, I hardly know what to say. Yes, even when I was a kid I always felt there was much more to poetry than predictable rhymes, sing-songy meters and sappy sentiments. Here's one of the best definitions of poetry I've seen in I don't know how long: "...We never can *say* things exactly as we feel them, but that is the reason for poetry, isn't it? A desperate attempt to bend words into revealing an intimacy they do not really posess." --by Calime, from whom I drew inspiration for at least one of my poems........ I've a little story in the works, which I hope to have up by this weekend! Thanks once more, your words are soooo encouraging and inspiring! blessings & cheer Armariel~~~{~@
Eruanna · 10 June 2005 · Chapter 25: Beauty (Faramir)
Beautiful and moving. There's something eternal and universal about a lover's words that speaks to everyone who reads them, though in different ways. You've really achieved that here. I just love that last line: and night was just another name for Immortality. A profound and gentle meditation on the meaning of love. Blessings, Eruanna
Author's reply
Thank you Dearie! Boy, I worked that last line to death trying to get it just exactly right...you wouldn't believe all the word combinations besides night/Immortality I tried lol Your words mean a lot. Hope to see a little something more from you soon :D xoxx Armariel~~~{~@