Eruanna
· 29 March 2005
· Chapter 16: Shieldmaiden (Eowyn)
I am amazed. I don't know what else to say. This is just brilliant. You've captured such a poignant sense of duty and rebellion in one, the answer to an irresistable call.
Perhaps we've each a mission
that was stamped with our name
ere the date of our making,
however we would let it pass from us,
and engrave it with another
and sit at home gazing
from an eastern window.
These lines really make me think: about what it means to have a mission, and how often we ignore it, and how terribly often we 'sit at home gazing', not because we are kept there like Eowyn, but of our own free will...
We may each,
however tender and questioning
be the link between life as we know it
and the end of all singing. And so
we heed the dark clarion
and if it also sound our doom,
so be it. Who are we
to dismiss that trumpet, even
though it call through horse-shrieks,
ripping flesh, thunder-drums,
iron wheels, shattered ramparts-
or brotherly disdain?
Who can say that my small blade
be not destined to smite the bond
that holds this land in thrall?
Who knows what lofty tapestries
may be woven from the nettles
of stinging chaos? We each,
man or woman, great or tiny,
own the key that opens
one cage or many, releasing the future
even if it means that we ourselves
become the past, names sung only
in the ballads of the forgetful free.
This part brings tears to my eyes, because there is something so incredibly beautiful about the forgotten heroes, and those who answered the call and went to the sound of their doom full willing, to save those who would not even remember them...
Once again, this is just amazing! Thank you for such a lovely and moving piece of work, and please keep them coming! ;)
Blessings,
Eruanna
Author's reply
Wow, THANK YOU...I'd no idea it could have that effect! I was sort of afraid after I wrote it that maybe it was too preachy and didn't have enough emotional appeal, and was hesitant about submitting it...well, I'm delighted that I was wrong!
Yes, the paradox of the hero who sacrifices him/herself to save those who may or may not be truly worthy or appreciative has long intrigued me. Also the idea that none of our actions are insignificant and we may each have a unique part to play in the grand scheme of things--once I saw a movie something along those lines, whose title I can't remember now, and it wasn't a great movie by the usual standards, but one line stands out in my mind: "It matters--everything we do matters!" It's rather sobering to think life is such a huge causal chain in which every single action, tiny or great, can affect a vast multitude, if not the entire universe...kind of like in that movie "It's a Wonderful Life". I've learned never to ignore any inner impulse I feel, because I think it's a higher power guiding me along. Sometimes it's actually saved my life and sometimes it's merely helped me make someone else happy, but in any instance, it never has misled me.
Thanks for your thoughtful and lovely review, means a lot to me!
blessings
Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn
· 26 March 2005
· Chapter 15: Outcast (Grima)
Wonderful...... I think I'll have to look in my thesaurus to find some new words here! : ) Keep adding more poems, I love them.
Author's reply
Thanks Dearheart......I have made a resolution to write at least one poem per week so there will be more soon, I'm sure......*g*
Happy Easter to you!
blessings
Armariel~~~{~@
Eruanna
· 23 March 2005
· Chapter 15: Outcast (Grima)
Oh, wow! This is so sad... I have always pitied Grima. I love the scene in the movie where Saruman reveals his vast army, and there is a close-up on Grima's face and we see a single tear in his eye... What a powerful and tragic moment! You have captured it perfectly here, with all the sorrow of his twisted love for Eowyn, and the sudden realization of what he has done. Another beautiful work!
Blessings,
Eruanna
Author's reply
Thanks my dear! The poem came on, all right, although nothing remotely like what I expected, LOL Yes, wonderful scene, and of course it's the one that inspired this poem. It was really interesting to explore the soul of a deeply corrupted but possibly redeemable person, as he realizes the far-reaching consequences of his actions. I think he's still a little in denial here too, at times seeing himself as a victim more sinned against than sinning, and at the same time realizing his own attraction to power and lust and then seeking the possibility of his redemption after the outcome. I guess it's kind of the flip side to the exploration of absolute evil I attempted in "The Witch King"....
Scary subject any way you look at it, but it fascinates me to a sometimes alarming degree....
Thanks for your lovely comments!
blessings
Armariel~~~{~@
Eruanna
· 19 March 2005
· Chapter 14: Last Night in Mordor (Sam)
This is absolutely beautiful. I can't tell you how much I love this, especially the second stanza. I love the image of two little hobbits staggering and crawling on that horrid path so that no one else will ever have to. And the image of the white flowers is heart-wrenchingly beautiful...
Author's reply
Thank you! I've had this idea in my head for months, don't know why it took so long to get born! Really flattered that someone who uses words as beautifully as you do should love it.....:)
blessings
Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn
· 19 March 2005
· Chapter 14: Last Night in Mordor (Sam)
Sweet.
Author's reply
You too......I think I kinda had our soldiers in Iraq in mind for this one.......
Farawyn
· 19 March 2005
· Chapter 13: The Witch King (Witch King)
Scary...
Author's reply
Exactly what I wanted it to be....muahahahaha........
Hey, I DREAMED about WK once.....brrrrrrrrrrr! Didn't even have my sword handy--talk about scary!!!
xoxoxx
Armariel~~~{~@
Somehow the word "poet" makes me think of a chort, squat little man in a white button-up and a tight black cap, whereas "poetess" makes me picture a tall, dark lady in a long, sweeping gown, one white had resting gently on a stone rail, a well worn leather covered book tucked under the other, and small ink stains on her thumbs.
Don't know where that came from!!!
Author's reply
LOL well, neither description fits me...but I'm afraid the first one comes closest to it!:D
I think Elizabeth Barrett Browning was the first female poet who preferred "poet" to "poetess"...which just sounds a little too Victorian to me, sorry...lol
Love it! Captures his love for his brother perfectly.
Well, then, I am not a poet, I am a poetess!
Author's reply
Thanks, well, I like "poet" better although I am also female, but whatever floats your ducky *gggg*
blessings,
Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn
· 26 February 2005
· Chapter 1: Upon Meeting Arwen (Aragorn)
By the way, did you like my review/poem? I have never shown anyone anything I have ever done before. I almost could not beleive that I posted that after I wrote it! It's horrible, I know, but it's what is in my heart and I hope that it helped you understand how I felt about your pieces.
Author's reply
Farawyn!! I LOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVE it!!!!!! Of course it's not horrible, it's wonderful! and how can you say you're not a poet, of course you are...hey, I didn't think I was a poet once either, a long time ago--but this is one of those instances when I'm positively delighted to be wrong!;)
Thanks once more for it...:) btw, you can see illustrations made by myself and others at my website at http://delroz.bravepages.com/elves/poesie.html
xoxoxox
RoZ aka Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn
· 26 February 2005
· Chapter 1: Upon Meeting Arwen (Aragorn)
I am not a poet! I just said what was in my heart. That is what poetry is, isn't it?
Author's reply
Yes, well, actually it's about finding fresh and striking ways of saying what's in your heart. You've recognized that there is a lot more to poetry than just a lot of trite sentiments strung together with predictable rhymes and stale imagery and sing-songy rhythms, and that's a great start. I definitely think you've got the makings--you just have to sit right down and do it!
xoxox
Armariel~~~{~@
This is a wonderful collection. I am not a great one for poetry, but even so it's obvious. There is a terse and simple eloquence in all your poems which i love b/c it's so dramatic - though several have elaborate metaphors (Aragorn, upon meeting Arwen), they are turned out skillfully and naturally. It reminds me a little at times of T.S. Eliot, though i suppose that's because I've been reading too much of Eliot these past few days. Breathtaking work, esp. liked this one b/c im a F&E nut. I know you'll keep at it, since you must see how good it is. cheers.
Author's reply
Oh my, T.S. Eliot...I hardly know what to say! LOL Thanks for the kind words, I am overwhelmed.....I think I want to tackle Faramir next (in more ways than one *wink wink*) but we'll just see.......
xoxox
Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn
· 25 February 2005
· Chapter 10: Brego (Brego)
GREAT! WONDERFUL! BEAUTIFUL! Any other words you can think of.
Oh my my...I never once supposed I would get a review in the form of a poem, I am flabbergasted *blushing*....You are a poet too, Farawyn! Thanks so much for all your lovely words!
xoxoxx
Armariel~~~{~@
Farawyn
· 25 February 2005
· Chapter 8: White Gem (Frodo)
Intoxicating
I could drink it in
'til I'm full to the brim
with beautiful words,
no,
not words,
gems,
shining
in the radiant light
of elven-glory,
in it's ripeness,
fullness,
I can taste the words,
the living stones.
pave my heart with them
build my soul with them
that I may see them,
bask in their glory
alway
for eternity
'til,
drunk with beauty,
staggering
with the load
of glory,
beauty,
placed upon me,
I fall,
into light.
endless light
never ending light,
a path,
paved with stones
made of words.
Farawyn
· 25 February 2005
· Chapter 7: In the Tower (Frodo)
Breathtaking... (I'm running out of adjectives)
Farawyn
· 25 February 2005
· Chapter 6: The Bridge (Sam)
Wonderful.
Farawyn
· 25 February 2005
· Chapter 5: The Gardener Speaks (Sam)
I felt a chill down my back as I read this.
Author's reply
I felt much the same writing it at times. Thanks for reading!
xoxx
Armariel~~~{~@
I guess you can tell what kind of poetry I like. : ) This was absolutley beautiful and made me cry. Not just made my eyes water, but actually made me weep. And reach for a Kleenex.
Farawyn
· 25 February 2005
· Chapter 3: My Star (Arwen)
Your best, I think...
Farawyn
· 25 February 2005
· Chapter 2: If This Be a Dream (Arwen)
Beautiful....
Farawyn
· 25 February 2005
· Chapter 1: Upon Meeting Arwen (Aragorn)