»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #47
»
Camelot (personal best -- for Balladeer)
| Open Poetry #47 |
|
Camelot (personal best -- for Balladeer) |
|
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
|
CAMELOT I. The wind grew silent, the night... still, The pagan earth unleashed her blow. Who could deny in truth, the nil Measure of worth wrath would bestow. A tranquil calm, the vision... spent, (All memory retained in jest), To heed the psalm of dreams forewent That brought to knee both King and Quest. As if Sanctity could preserve A chance dared not within her gate; This enmity I thus reserve, Untimely lot, to seal her fate. For what is left of hope that I Embrace futility, profound? With all bereft, unto the eye Of dream in me, the words resound! "O' Camelot, O' Camelot," Where stands your king - your knights, so bold? Who died for naught? Ah, dear Shallot, Who now will sing for you? - Behold, Your fallacy of forespent gloom! Oh, once you stood, envy of all... Shall "Brotherly Love" mark this tomb, Proclaiming good within the pall? What magic now guides Merlin's hand, That all must fall to one's behest? Who would allow such praised a land This Siege's call - this Peril's test? In wicked truth, a Holy Grail; Sin of your eyes, Pride, claim your soul! For naught but youth could such avail... As such, your prize underscores toll. The May Day prophecy come true, Oh, mark the dim and damned delight Beyond the grim Lake of the Night, That Modred may receive his due; The very throne of Camelot! Lo, Nimiane no more shall cry, The sword within, the voices die; And thus atone the sin begot, All silent now lies Camelot. ***** II. Oh, what should stand the penalty To claim ALL true and right and just, Before the hand of God? Who'll see The misconstruing of your trust? As now, your Golden Age rescinds, (A false whisper upon the dawn); As dreams untold unto the winds – Those true to her, forever gone... Whose shields still line the Iv'ry hall; Modred's alone lacking decor. By fate or will, I slim recall, A pale stone there, nothing more. And of the table, perfect, round; Where each man finds equality... Was this but fable, if profound, To tease the minds of men like me? Far better in the bitter fall Would ambition rise to the deed, If of her sin, and of her call Fruition wasn't pent in greed. But feast I shan't on hollow word, Nor be provoked by shallow laws. For this I can't, ‘twould be absurd To be yoked to such fallow cause... Where within lies my Dignity. Oh, waive the wand of toil and grief; Behold Death spies a lot for me, If just beyond my misbelief. Who loves thy brother - not thy son? Who dares to call such deeming fair? Lo, with no other virtues won; The king is fallen, so the heir! The bas-tard not to be undone, Though ruin should fall beyond all scope Of the great hall - Of the great hope For peace once sought in unison. Oh, is it wrong to call to thought The maiden's song which rings no more? By simple claim, by the wounds bore, Upon a name the nameless wrought... All silent now lies Camelot. ***** III. Lo, Time reveals the travesty Within the recompense of light. Though Truth repeals the majesty, Brings forth the beckoning of Night... As thus imbued, the vision glides Along the brook of foreseen death; Hope misconstrued for who presides O'er love mistook for bated breath? An abstract view within the hue, Forever cherished in the thought; I never drew on passions due That, too, perished in Camelot. Upon the stake, within the flame, A wounded heart grants no reprieve. And in forsaking twelve, the same By vow, that part of me won't grieve. The candor of emotion spent, I now have paid an endless price. In eyes of dream, both come and went, I've failed your fields of paradise... To hold a love I could not hold, Honor betrayed at cost of life; To hold supreme a King, so cold, Yet hold demure, his loving wife. "O' Camelot, O' Camelot,” My heart yet cries that you are gone... What penance sought secures this lot, Lo, taints the skies of Avalon? The river silent, the nymph passed, Within the tree, the wizard caught; With love in eye who turned at last, To destiny perhaps unfraught. “O' Camelot, O' Camelot,” For ‘twas but lies Arthur conveyed; Avail, that Time may find me true, That Grail, sublime, to redeem you. To lift the eyes of all betrayed In fervid call sheer magic brought... Behold, the faerie's song is mute; And I, alone, dare not refute This beauty all but Time forgot... All silent now, my Camelot. ***** Michael R. Anderson 6-12-2001 [This message has been edited by Michael (08-03-2011 11:28 AM).] |
||
| © Copyright 2011 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Lori Grosser Rhoden Member Patricius
since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202Fair to middlin' of nowhere |
you are an old soul aren't you? That just blew me away. It is as if you are the last that speaks (writes) the language. Awsome! Lori |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Definitely masterful, Michael. Your portrayal of Camelot and the characters that comprised it are hard-hitting and realistic. You maintain the theme and the flavor throughout the telling and this could have been written hundreds of years ago by the language of the day....or last year. It is timeless and it is a job extremely well done. We have an assignment in the poetry workshop currently on allegory, the telling of a story that also relates to an untold one. This poem is a perfect example of that. Not only is it a story of Camelot - it can also be a story that relates to many lives, many relationships and many "kingdoms" that came to an untimely and cruel end. I know that I could relate to it and I feel confident that everyone who reads it will feel the same way. In other words.....ya done good!  |
||
|
tuffluv66 Member
since 2011-05-13
Posts 121Iowa, U.S.A. |
Very cool. |
||
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Lori, ancient would probably be more appropriate.  Thank you.Balladeer, you mean I get two for one credit? Wheeee! I truly have been pondering the allegory thing... and while I use allegories in many of my poems, revealing them (usually near the end) is where the punch comes from. I had serious doubts over the past few days that I could write one that extended over an entire poem, without said revelation. You, btw, are the grand "story-teller" in my eyes. To recieve a compliment like this from you means the world to me. Thank you. tuffluv66, I'm glad you enjoyed. Thank You. |
||
|
Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
I am a huge fan of the King Arthur tales and thoroughly enjoyed this, Michael. Very well done. Ida |
||
|
ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
Michael, master poet. Very well done, Ms.ebony |
||
|
Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
Michael, An excellent re-telling of a classic, as written in character of one who may have been there. Doc |
||
|
Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
You are a master. The talent you have with words has always taken my breath. Bravo |
||
Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Thanks for the re-post Michael, I have printed it out for my oldest granddaughter, who also loves to write about this, as it is her favorite time in history. Wonderful! Perhaps it will inspire her to take "longer" to write hers.  |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Michael, Huge sigh. I started this read back on the 2nd but stopped because I wanted some very quiet time to breathe it all in...to allow my imagination to soar. And it has. While the tone was dark [as were the times] still, the words were marvelous, the sound wonderful...overall, a rare treat that you gave us. Thank you so very much, for coming "home".  |
||
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Ida, I thank you, the Arthur tales have always held a special place in my heart as well. I tried not to dishonor them. ebonygirl, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed. Doc, Sometimes I think I was there... No, really! Thank you, buddy.Marilynn, that's okay, breathing is highly overrated imho. Seriously, I'm glad this touched you. Mysteria, I hope so. I have a daughter who also writes. She has some very inspired themes, but not the patience to do them justice... so I know exactly where you are coming from. I wonder if we were ever like that? K, and thank you for welcoming me home. The reception I have recieved has been a great joy to me. Thank you. Michael |
||
|
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I've always loved tales of King Arthur and Camelot... and I've read 4 volume books that didn't leave me feeling I'd stepped back in time the way this did. Amazing work... simply amazing. |
||
|
Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Wow, I am glad I came across this masterpiece, dear Michael. Your mind and talent created a wonderful work here. Love, Margherita |
||
|
JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
A pleasure to read...James |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
