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Camelot
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Camelot |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
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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. Lo, 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? Within the tree, the wizard caught, The river silent, the nymph passed; 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 [This message has been edited by Michael (edited 06-12-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
Michael, this is absolutely marvelous! Trust your pen to put this fine story to poetry....and it IS a keeper, so I am putting this where it belongs.... as it could be read again, and again.... THANK YOU! |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Oh to be in the presence of a wonderful poet, does it make my heart sing, oh yes indeedy! I absolutely am a Camelot fanatic, but could never begin to give it the type of justice you have done here. I wish to thank you for your wonderful poem, as our are truly gifted. I shall read this again, and again, and again! I printed it out, hope that would be okay with you as your name is on it to read to a group of girls this Saturday, and they are simply going to be thrilled...I shall email you the verdict! Thank you for your gift! Opps! Forgot to thank Decaflame for sending me the link - thank you too! ~*~ Remember to tell someone today that you love them as tomorrow may never come ~*~ [This message has been edited by Mysteria (edited 06-12-2001).] |
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Dopey Dope
Moderator
Member Patricius
since 2000-08-30
Posts 11132San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Truly a wonderful poem of Camelot and the ways of those times. I absolutely loved it.  I was born myself, raised myself, and will continue to be myself. The world will just have to adjust. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I am absolutely positively SATED in rhyme & cadence!!! I dont know how the hell you do this... but I am ever so grateful you do. Oh man...this rocks!! way cool M,...outstanding level of inspire and writing. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Thank you all for the replies, and for bearing with the obsurity of this poem. I realize my vision of Camelot, (through the grieving eyes of Lancelot returning home), my not be what everyone else's is. I simply wanted to portray how, for having such lofty ideals of peace and equality, the people of Camelot were plagued with the human elements of greed, lust, and pride; all of which bore a heavy toll individually as well as leading to the ultimate downfall of Camelot and the greatness it stood for. No, Mysteria, I don't mind you printing this out to read to your friends - please let me know what they think. Michael [This message has been edited by Michael (edited 06-13-2001).] |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
(Publish!) Ok, so I won't say it. You never fail to write something that touches me. This is magnificent!!! A little Heaven in the Haven!  |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Much enjoyed, Michael. You did the story justice. Sandra |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
PdV, hopefully soon...  catalinamoon, thank you, I'm glad you felt that way in reading this. Michael |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
now, you know what a sucker I am for this kind of a story, and I really like the pov that you took with it, that's what makes it different, and what made me read it at least twice. . . a superb work. . . well done. . . --------------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
I, too, am a sucker for this type of poetry, I absolutely love this, Michael! You never cease to amaze me, here's a standing ovation for you! I agree with Sharon, you must publish your poetry Into my library this goes~ Take care, Melissa~ |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
I have been away far to long. This was simply amazing Michael. |
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chasing rain Senior Member
since 2001-05-15
Posts 737Canada |
*mouth hangs open so wide flies fly in* This is...amazing. Wonderful, and...GAH! *applause* I'm in awe! I enjoyed this immensely! An incredible work of majestic power. THANK YOU FOR A BEAUTIFUL READ!  -Leah Va pensiero sull' ali dorate... |
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