Words beneath a dappled sky

Your heart was ever seaward, beloved

One for the loss that Elrond faced when his Celebrian, wounded and sorrowed, turned away from him to find her healing over the sea, followed by a shaped 'concrete' poem from Celebrian's view of her longing to escape, more properly formatted the wave-shaped stanzas are smoother.

Seaward
( See how the waves lift their arms to the sun )
-
Waves
( This )
-

A Birthday Party reaps a harvest of the last peace-time toys Dale would know for a long time.

Art is so often an outgrowth of times of peace, when people can stop worrying about survival long enough to indulge in something just for the sake of beauty. This looks at the history behind (and after) the marvellous toys that were brought in and distributed at the Party Tree.

The Toy-Makers of Dale
( The toy-makers of Dale knew and remembered )

Do not grieve that you yet have life

Galadriel's words to Gimli, who mourned for the loss of the glory his kind once knew - an amazing kindness between them, a comfort and a clear message of wisdom from one who knew intimately of the ravages Time could bring and the passing of seasons. With it I'm including Crystal Imperishable for the gift she bestowed on him and the faithful admiration he gave in return.

Grieve Not
( Fair were their days, and though darkness claims them now, It shall not claim you )
-
Crystal Imperishable
( For this I will release my words spoke ill against your kind )
-

Where has the silver maiden gone?

I was taken with Legolas' sad tale of Nimrodel and the stream named for her, one of Tolkien's many 'tales within a tale' that give his storytelling such depth. This is a 'shaped'/concrete poem on a simple scale.

With it is a poem experimenting with a ABba stanza, honoring Haldir and the others who spent so much of their time guarding their pocket of peace from the wars that surrounded them - this one could use some editing, I think, but has some decent turns of phrase.

Sorrowing Nimrodel
( Falling in silver whispers. A mourning )
Watching over Lorien
( Anathema that blood is shed Beneath gold canopy so sweet )
-

Here lies Balin, Lord of Moria

Two poems for the Dwarves here, the first being Gimli's surety that somehow, some way Balin's ill-fated colony had survived, the second being a poetic examination of the Dwarven Lords, their world and their fate.

Gimli's Hope
( He will be waiting for us there. You'll see. )
-
Dwarven Lords
( ...thus their hearts were metal-bound )

The land lies silent where once it heard singing

The story of Hollin / Eregion and its tragic downfall and scattering caught at my heart, but then, betrayal is such a powerful and terrible event. This is a longer poem, and darker.

Hollin
( Redder than the berries of their beloved holly trees, Their blood once ran )

Preparing to depart, enduring and promising

The first here is somewhat heavy in its presentation, more like getting a lecture than hearing a song if that makes sense - but I like the ending. The second is a double-layered work for Arwen bidding Aragorn farewell, in which there is a short poem woven into the longer one, look for the indented words (I had to use underscores to make it indent). The green Elfstone that Aragorn took that part of his name from signified healing and wholeness.

Oath-Taking
( To perceive the strength that could endure such testing )
-
Elfstone
( The years with sorrows have harrowed your soul )
-

Enter Boromir, stage left - while Bilbo imparts yet another treasure

The first one is essentially a character sketch for Denethor's eldest as he descends on Imladris for the Council - the second is a look at the treasure that Bilbo gave, and it wasn't necessarily a coat.

Traveler from Gondor
( Your own ways, which you deem best for all )
-
Mithril Coat
( The breath of his life, all silver enclosed )
-

A chance at life

The first piece resembles more a running train of thought from Gandalf's point of view than anything else, not top quality but I'm including it anyway. A companion piece to this might be found in the short story "Approach". With it is Rivendell Reflection, from Frodo's viewpoint after awaking.

Arrival in Rivendell
( The call was urgent - )
-
Rivendell Reflection
( The living image of memories )
-

A little piece for that interlude by the stone trolls, when Sam shows his hidden side.

Proper Poet

An artist’s eye,
And a poet’s heart,
A gardener’s caring for all that is living,
A steady hand
That knows what’s right,
With courage to see the night through to the day.

A longing for language, the beauty of words,
A thirst for all mystery and wonder.
To desire in his dreams places afar
But to hold to the earth
As he reaches the sky:
Samwise.
Proper poet.

-