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Open Poetry #20
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Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia

0 posted 2002-05-09 07:49 AM



Once upon a midnight dream
In songs of days of yore
A story fell in history's stream
'Bout a tower without a door

Within this keep a maiden fair
Her beauty known both near and wide
And all the heroes rich and rare
Planned to make of her his bride

Her name the lady Clarabelle
Her beauty known from birth
She did good deeds and did them well
So all would know her worth

Many suitors lined the walk
To set out on quest that day
Some richer ones held back to talk
While others led the way

There behind the gathered throng
A soldier walked alone
The questing heart and gift of song
For sins he would atone

His name was mighty Rust-a-lot
Called Rusty by his friends
He'd been a drunkard and a sot
And marched to make amends

For there within the door less tower
This maiden he knew well
For childhood troth within the bower
He gave to Clarabelle

Unlike the rest who owned a horse
He only owned an ass
And he often walked, of course
When he ached with head so crass

Sir Rust-a-lot with shaking hand
Turned his mule around
Things did not go as he had planned
As saddle slipped to ground

Sir Rust-a-lot he creaked a bit
As behind the crowd he ran
Till he tripped and sat on it
And landed on his can

The crowd began to laugh out loud
They thought it was a game
Sir Rust-a-lot rose strong and proud
For his old ass he'd bear the shame

Far behind the marching throng
Sir Rust-a-lot rode out
He still retained his battle song
And raised it now in shout

Cows and sheep now ran in fright
At echoes of his tune
A dragon stopped in great delight
To hear the lover's croon

The dragon thought, a worthy mate
He chased the worthy squire
Sir Rust-a-lot bemoaned his fate
Until he felt the fire

Sir Rust-a-lot rode hard and fast
Till all danger was gone
He looked around, lost at last
His plan had gone so wrong

He wandered out and up and down
To find the path of quest
He found the path and then he frowned
He was miles behind the rest

At last he found the tower bare
With maiden firm atop
He stood and gazed in worship there
And found he could not stop

He tried to climb the glassine walls
He slipped a time or two
His drunken state softened the falls
And left him giggling' true

At last he reached the tower spire
He was feeling very cool
Then Clarabelle
His one desire
Hissed, "I'm married now you fool"

You cannot take this maiden's hand
I come here by choice
Although you've searched throughout the land
Your pledge you cannot voice

So down the tower the hero slid
Feeling quite morose
He told the world what Clara did
And did it quite verbose

He left the tower with pride intact
He would not beg, be crass
A talent scout found he could act
The scout retained his ass


Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown




[This message has been edited by Kethry (05-09-2002 05:23 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Lynne Dale - All Rights Reserved
Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
1 posted 2002-05-09 08:00 AM


Keth darling sister of my soul and caller of the smiles of heart. You know I love this, its flow is perfect and the giggles it gives are far far better than anything. YOU darling heart always write well.

Why is it do you think that you can so easily call up hearts tears, hearts smiles, and souls sighs? I wonder what magic you have in your pen that lets you write with delight so often. Well, whatever the magic you have, you have it in abundance


Love and warm stuff
As always
Mushy

To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace Luke 2:79


Elan
Member
since 2002-05-03
Posts 382
State of Wide Eye
2 posted 2002-05-09 10:40 AM



Smiling here!

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
3 posted 2002-05-09 11:33 AM


Keth,
Clever and witty, enjoyed.

Mon Cherie
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2001-10-31
Posts 922
Land of Never-ending Summers
4 posted 2002-05-09 11:42 AM


Kethry, this is so well written and funny! well done!!!!

_,,,^.^,,,_
Florence

NapalmsConstantlyConfused
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 2001-05-15
Posts 529

5 posted 2002-05-09 02:42 PM


<----laughing, hard.

very good! this is what, twice now that you've answered this challenge, in very different but equally well-written ways in each case. outstanding writing, and dare i suspect that you (maybe, just a little) enjoyed telling a story with your verse?

heh.
it's contagious, isn't it?
-Dave

Kethry
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082
Victoria Australia
6 posted 2002-05-09 05:27 PM


Dave and the others,
thank you I definitely like telling a story in verse. Marsha and I had a challenge once and she told a much funnier story than me, a story that hinged on the punch line, about a hero who was no hero and I thought why not. I know I am leagues away from Deer's class and style of storytelling, yet I had fun doing this and if it amuses me it's worth it.
Kethry

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



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