navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #2 » The Knight's Battle - A Sestina!
Open Poetry #2
Post A Reply Post New Topic The Knight's Battle - A Sestina! Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

0 posted 1999-09-25 10:40 PM


In darkness led by a glowing moon, we find a brave young knight
Sworn to wear the colors of his King into a mighty battle
He rides upon a powerful steed; at his side, his father’s sword
Boldly charging forth seeking the enemy in the forest
He espies a river, running red with many a man’s blood
Though brave the site chills him with coldness to his heart

Once he held a lady fair and gave to her his heart
Then the King summoned him to become a royal knight
He promised to give his life, mayhap his very blood
And join the fight for freedom to claim victory in his battle
Now he found himself, engulfed in primeval forest
His wits became his battle plan; his weapon is his sword

A cry rang out and hero sworn, raises up his trusty sword
A wretched screaming fills the air and weakens his warrior heart
Rustling sounds abound within the heart of medieval forest
Time to test the bravery of this youngest of King’s knight
Kicking heels upon steed’s flanks, he rushes into battle
Caring not if forest soil soaks up his gallant blood

Faster now he rides, feeling the coursing of his horse’s blood
Slicing through the dark of night, brandishing his sword
He finds his enemy beginning a final round of battle
An arrow flies from nowhere, piercing his horse’s heart
Without his steed he runs on foot, all daring is this fair knight
Charging forth, his battle cry is heard throughout the forest

Deeper does he run until, a silence engulfs the forest
Alone, bemused, no enemy there to take his errant blood
Turning slowly ‘round, he sees no other knight
Hesitantly, lowering his warrior’s mighty sword
Stillness envelops him quieting the pounding in his heart
Alone, he stands and wonders where how did he leave the battle

Raging in his mind he wonders should he rejoin the battle
Should he trace his steps to find the teeming forest?
If he stayed in this glen, would they question the bravery in his heart?
Clearly now, he considers the value of his unshed blood
Slowly now he doth relax and lower his mighty sword
And through the stillness of the glen, falls dead our royal knight

From his heart poured bravery’s blood
And in the forest lay the sword
As the battle took the life of this young knight


© Copyright 1999 Poet deVine - All Rights Reserved
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
1 posted 1999-09-25 10:54 PM


Certainly no one will scoff at this work. Beautifully executed, DeVine one. Extremely worthy.

------------------
Great minds discuss ideals. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.



Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

2 posted 1999-09-25 10:59 PM


WOW! I'll say it again, WOW! Very well done!


------------------
Denise

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
3 posted 1999-09-25 11:01 PM


I do believe these are difficult - You're right - A sestina is different from other formats in that the lines aren't repeated - only the final words -
That means you have to have a theme that will carry through 39 lines of poetry - and develop that theme - as well as pay some attention to both rhyme scheme and meter - It's no small task -
You've pulled it off nicely as the true bardess that you are.....

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
4 posted 1999-09-25 11:10 PM


You are all very kind. But do you know the hell I went through with this? First I made a table in a word document..chose my 6 words.. put each of my words down the right side of my paper...then using the form instructions of which words end which lines, I wrote out the end words until the page was full..then I wrote..then I rewrote! It was one of the hardest things I've done! I appreciate you sitting through the laborous lines....thanks.

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

5 posted 1999-09-25 11:18 PM


But none of the lines were laborous! The whole piece was totally captivating. I'm truly glad you didn't say you did this on your lunch break! Then I would be really depressed! Again, WOW!

------------------
Denise

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
6 posted 1999-09-25 11:18 PM


The labor wasn't on our part...
I had every intention of jokingly scorning this...but there's no way I can, you did too awesome of a job!

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
7 posted 1999-09-26 09:15 AM


Beautifully written. I don't profess to knowing anything about this particular format, but even that aside, this was a well written piece.

------------------
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints in our heart and we are never ever the same.

Thank you all for leaving footprints!!

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #2 » The Knight's Battle - A Sestina!

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary