Why do our stories
March on before us?
Those who remember them
Oft times ignore us
But our presence is there;
Our spirit-borne breath
Enlivens each telling
Defying our deaths
***
It is that! It is Chesterton!
The scorning, laughing at the grave
The fight for souls we hardly save
Fading, fading…
The baking, burning of the cakes
To hold fast for a red mark’s sake
Fighting, fighting…
–
It is that! It is Tolkien!
The crawling, grasping of hot stones
The faint recall of hearth and home
Fading, fading…
There’s fire spewing from the earth
The force of will, last thing of worth
Fighting, fighting…
–
It is that! It is Lewis!
The clawing, gasping on the stone
The ice-queen’s plunge, the final groan
Fading, fading…
There’s winter’s claim upon the land
A ransomed brother breaks her wand
Fighting, fighting…
–
It is that! It is Noyes!
The vengeful ride along the road
The highwayman dies in his blood
Fading, fading…
There’s magic in each windy gust
Bringing back the brigand’s ghost
Fighting, fighting…
–
It is that! It is Jacques!
The pleading, blocking of the foe
The barbed tail swings, the monk’s laid low
Fading, fading…
A warrior mouse from a tapestry
His challenge made, the bell swings free
Fighting, fighting…
***
Why do our stories
March on to lead men?
I suppose we all knew
Someday they would need them
Our breath is ablaze
Warming hearts with the heat;
For our heroes claim triumph
Through the longest defeat
Avellina’s fine contribution– its opening stanza alone– is a tribute to all who write in good faith. A fresh idea expressed with truth and beauty!
As a writer myself, the first stanza really resonated with me. Lovely imagery!
This is awesome!
Wow. Literature has a way of getting into our very bones – defining our values, showing us our morals, warning us of impending doom. This is an excellent poem. Beautiful imagery.
Lovely tribute!
Would you call “The Ballad of the White Horse” a fantasy, really? It includes a supernatural event, of course, but I’m not aware of any actual magic in it. (As a plot element, I mean. Anyone who says it lacks literary magic is, of course, insane.)
OK, so this is awesome!
Applause!