I think this is a first. A 2-in-1 poem that doesn't come 6 months after the previous one. :)) Oh, and you might notice the second poem does not have a picture of its own. If you find an appropriate one, I'm willing to put it on display :) Enjoy! (sorry if it is a little too long, couldn't help it)
Our story begins…
Our story begins, as so few of them do,
In an old world, made anew.
Once upon a time, in ruins and in ash
A kingdom lay, after years of ruthless clash…
There he was, a young man in his prime,
After a thunderous, yet arduous climb,
Forced to assume the Ancient Throne
And forever set his name in stone.
Usurpers and traitors alike – dead,
Those who bent a knee got to keep their head.
“A show of mercy, Milord, goes a long way,”
So his Council used to say.
A great many things they said,
Some of which filled him with dread:
“My liege, you’ve been at war half your life.
You are still without an heir, it’s past time to take a wife.”
To be a great ruler, both bright and brave,
Still meant he was his own Council’s slave.
They went on and on with talk of wed’,
Of finding a proper girl he’d soon need to bed.
Yet, at the King’s Tourney, in which he took part,
He’d find the one who’d steal his heart.
A stunning beauty of raven hair and eyes of an iced blue,
Fair of skin, blood red lips and cheeks of rosy hue.
As she watched on with an almost childish delight,
He cut through his foes and won fight after fight.
A Champion, once again! After he thrust his sword back in its sheath,
He set upon her head the victor’s wreath.
“I am not one to enjoy hunting boars,
Drowning myself in wine, nor chasing whores.
In months, this Tourney has been the only pleasure of mine,
Until I was blessed by a sight, oh, so pure, so divine.
Would you do me the pleasure of accompanying me to the feast?
It would bring me great joy to get to know you, at least.”
A smile graced her lips and accepted. Later that night, at the dance,
He acted on a gamble and took his chance –
A stolen kiss, sweet as summer wine,
Returned in kind, under the faint light of star shine.
The days and the weeks that followed soon
Came a beautiful courtship and a wed promise before the Wolf’s Moon.
Since the Bloody War, less than a year had passed,
And the promised day came at long last.
Traders, nobles and fishwives alike cheered for the King, crowned by fire,
And Queen, who was many a men’s desire.
The Curse
While they were all cheering in the main road,
And toward the castle court flowed,
Through the back streets, a shadow was lurking –
Hunchback, foul smelling and limping, yet smirking.
Slowly, toward the old graveyard he crept.
“There is still one promise to be kept.”
Stepping through his comrades’ rotten bones,
Decaying crypts and shattered stones,
He finally reached an empty tomb, shaded by a dead oak –
Hidden from the eyes of ordinary folk,
An old entrance to the King’s Keep.
“Soon all that they have sown shall come to reap.”
Going down the tunnel, he hobbled by torch light.
“Gods, help me, for this is going to be my last rite.”
Step after step, upward he went,
Thinking to himself:
“They’ll never relent.”
With a small red vial in his hand, he walked through the last door,
Which brought him to a balcony, just above the right floor,
Where the Wedding Feast was taking place.
With all the guards, he’d slipped in without a trace.
He came as close as he could to the edge, looming,
And said, with his voice, over the crowd, booming:
“To both King and guest, partaking in the feast,
Hold your tongue and hear one you thought deceased.
Killed the rightful king you have, and all his loyal too!
Yet there is one you have missed, and that you will rue!
All ye of royal blood heed my warning.
For, among yourselves, a new threat is dawning.
See the destruction you have brought.
See the treachery you have bought.
See the starved and bare, all ye clad and fed.
See the torn and forlorn, all ye loved and wed.
Your unity is naught but masquerade!
Denounce this damn charade,
Repent, for there is little time,
And you shall be forgiven for your crimes!”
“I remember you, old fool!” said the King.
“You were by that Usurper’s side, kissing his ring.
You disappeared the day I had this castle sacked.
I wonder, was it wits or courage you lacked?
And you dare come here, today? Hear this, remnant of kingdom old,
It’s my Wedding Day and I’m feeling generous, if truth be told.
Come down, bend the knee and say the words
And I won’t feed you to the birds.”
W: “Bend the knee? Never! If truth be told,
I’d rather lie with my comrades, dead and cold!”
He vanished and emerged near the table, unstopping the vial,
Which he poured in a goblet. He raised it with a smile.
W: “And that I’ll be, before the day is out…
I’m growing tired of this bile you spout.
I’ve come to lay upon you a curse.
Listen, for it goes from bad to worse!
Your sword, oh, bane of kings, will rust and shatter!
Your loyal host will break and scatter!
Your vision will blur and you’ll lose all sight!
And with that, you’ll have lost all your might!
I’m generous too - I’ll let you keep your wits,
Long enough to see your world crumble to bits!
But what is this? You seem to be in love…
It’d be rude not to bestow a gift upon this precious dove…
Aye, for you, this is a most glorious sunlit day,
But your life will be forever gray, no matter how long you’ll pray.
Your love’s seeds shall never bloom,
For, my dear Queen, your womb shall be your tomb.
Ah, but why do you all look so wary?
Eat and drink your fill, make merry!
Even though, tonight, in Hell I’ll sup’,
In your honor, I raise this cup.”
With that, he emptied his goblet in one swig
And fell, lifeless, on top of the suckling pig.
K: “What a madman! Who would believe such lies?”
Q: “To scorn him like this, do you think it wise?”
K: “What can he do now? For an empty curse, he gave his last breath.”
Q: “What can he do?! I’ve heard stories of people who gain power in death!”
K: “Words of a dead man shouldn’t matter to those still alive.
All we can do is to live our lives and thrive.
Now dry your eyes, take a sip of wine and smile.
They’re all dead, those who’ve been hostile.
Guards, take this filth away.
Guests, you haven’t lost your appetite, I pray.
This old fool had one thing right.
Make sure the torches are bright.
Eat and drink your fill, make merry,
For tonight, it is the past we bury.”
The feast went on well into the night,
Without any interruptions or frights.
Months passed and, in the castle, up on the hill,
All was peaceful. That is, until…
(To be continued)