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Open Poetry #23
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majnu
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Senior Member
since 2002-10-13
Posts 1088
SF Bay Area

0 posted 2002-11-08 02:15 PM


Sleeping Stone's Story

Unhorsed and unshielded, hindered by mail;
"Seize the knight!" He is the last!"
Mud made with blood and dirt clings to armour
once brilliant and white. A scabbard still holds his sword.

"Bejeweled hilt of red and gold given to you this day,"
Staggering on through the wood, across a creek shallow and smooth,
Left arm limp, his right removes armour and mail.
"Blades here given hold the light, let no darkness extinguish it!"

Nearly naked, only leggings left, his hand feels his side and
finds cold Metal. Sword shards skewer his liver; deeper each step.
Burying the sword in sacred ground, his only hope of light.

"Get the sword! Darkness descends as death falls, be they slaves!"
Bestial roars fill the forest as good animals flee,
Fell creatures, bloodthirsty beasts, his bowels will be sweet...


One foot then another and suddenly both knees hit the ground,
The bitter spring's air is sweet with flower's scent.
His hand again probes his side and, "Raaagghh!" draws metal
from flesh. Scratching and clawing, digging dirt with hands,

This dog that once was man seeks to hide his pearly bone,
But ahead in brambles a lamp light peaks through windows.
Light! Love of which greater than pain pushes him up, and
His strength renewed he rushes through thorn, and nettles.

Ambivalent malice crashes through foliage behind him,
Hot pursuit downwind, he ignores the pain of thorns in his
Wound. His suffering nearing an end the wall of bushes reveals

A cottage fair, thatched roof simple, yet vine growth and scent
of Fair folk is in the air. Feet failing he crawls to the door,
Knocking there, his final prayer, opening, clad in lving flowers,


An Elven queen tall and fair. Slender limbs giving way to soft curves,
A high brow flowing into a river where sunset's light glints red-gold.
A dress of blue-bells, snapdragons, and forget-me-nots, all woven
About her glorious form, perilous fair to view, but death approached.

On his knees, sword laid at her feet, he kissed her hand and wept,
"Lady, receive this sword, keep it safe, hidden by your people's grace."
"Gentle sir, how does fate find you thus, seek healing in my place."
"My steps are dogged now, something wicked this way comes!"

Her condescension high, she knelt to him in embrace, he woul heal,
"Keep it deep, someday one may come with claim, and night away,"
Black oak arrow's flight, left side back, the tearing of flesh in

early Twilight. Through his heart, the tip protrudes through his left
Nipple. "Darkness, darkness; it is upon us." Fair light revealed now
jewel upheld love's power force, let heart be ice, let stone be cold.

...


"And those, ladies and gentlemen," the tour guide spoke, "Are the verses
that the locals will say go along with this exquisite statue. As you can
see the poem describes the statue, an arrow on the left side through the
back into the heart, and partly out the front. The elf-queen is amazingly
beautiful. The detail the artist gave to this work is amazing. Perhaps
more amazing is how well preserved it is. One can actually make out the
flowers of her dress and the runes on the scabbard of the sword at her
feet. The statue is actually older than the castle here. They say that the
builder of the castle so loved the statue that he specifically built it so
that the statue was in the middle of the courtyard.

"Well moving on then, to your right you will see..."


[This message has been edited by majnu (11-08-2002 02:18 PM).]

© Copyright 2002 Zaheer Abbas Ali - All Rights Reserved
WhiteRose
Member Elite
since 2002-07-23
Posts 3208
somebody's dungeon
1 posted 2002-11-09 10:25 AM


And what a lovely jaunt it is. I love the little twist at the end. This is just another of your great works that showcases your special talent. I have such a hard time writing these long pieces. The curse of a short attention span.

Great job!

Mistletoe Angel
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Empyrean
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon
2 posted 2002-11-09 08:04 PM




(smiles) Oh Zahaar, sweet friend, this is sooooooo gorgeous, I too just love the hook at the ending, drawing a fine line between fantasy and reality in a childs eyes on a field trip to a museum! (big hugggssssss) I just love all the cute fantasy, sweet friend, yay, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Zahaar, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
3 posted 2002-11-10 04:19 PM


Double WOW! This was riveting! I was transported back in time and as I read your words, my heart beat faster and faster! It was so vivid--so real! Outstanding!

EA

Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
4 posted 2002-11-10 04:48 PM


majnu
A full palette of color and a wonderful painting, enjoyed.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
5 posted 2002-11-10 05:35 PM


Majnu, thank you for sharing this side of you with us...it was delightful.  I just turned on "What Dreams May Come" and am about to embark on yet another tale...for I have seen the news, and need to escape for a little while...

[This message has been edited by Sunshine (11-10-2002 05:39 PM).]

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