O'Malley's Flower
by Jeff Hargett
With his heart all black and his soul bankrupt
He raged and howled with a will corrupt
Never had men seen not even in dream
The evil unmatched about to erupt
The day then came, with snowfall dark
For ash and lava rendered countryside stark
Beneath his disdain did nothing remain
Not swallow nor eagle not sparrow nor lark
His sights he set on the people's queen
Thirsting for power and aims unclean
He came and set siege against serf and liege
Laid waste to woods and homes and all between
The king arose, valiant and strong
His heart intent on righting the wrong
Both regal and proud, he rallied the crowd
And led his men with trumpets and song
For days they marched through blinding snow
With ice and frost did the north wind blow
Bearing omens ill and the glint of steel
Under clouds of gray no mercy did it show
For the queen, his love, he journeyed there
Daring the evil's perilous snare
Over peak and valley came King O'Malley
Till he chanced upon the enormous lair
Of power and magic and wrath and hate
Came spell and curse to doom their fate
O'Malley so brave, but naught could he save
For the beast rained fury in a fatal spate
One by one the king's men fell
Where they'd stood no man could tell
Swordsman and spear, with no time to fear
Became the echo in death's sad knell
The man, the beast were one in the same
Mage was his title and Jerrok his name
It was none other, the king's own brother
Who smote them down their flesh aflame
Out from the lair where kin's blood flowed
Into the city along the king's road
King O'Malley's head, all battered and red
Hung on a pike for all to behold
Jerrok announced his vile demand
To wed the queen in fashion grand
He yelled and he swore, refusal meant war
And havoc he'd wreak throughout the land
But the queen was armed and didn't cower
For in her womb grew O'Malley's flower
Jerrok couldn't know the strength they would show
But what love births is life's greatest power
And in that moment when Jerrok started
The princess countered and his heart she parted
Love potent and pure, life's ultimate cure
Rended his soul with the mercy imparted
Though King O'Malley would never be there
His flower would grow, a beauty so fair
His memory dear, sung to calm men's fear
By queen and princess with love so rare
- Jeff
When this world doesn’t suit you, write a world that does.
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10 comments:
I love narrative poems. Very well done. Thanks!
Thanks, Scott. This was more an experiment than anything. I rarely write poetry, but my comfort zone was getting a bit confined. I'm really glad you liked it.
I've said it but I'll say it again. I am no fan of poetry but I never get tired of this one. :)
Reminds me of "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner". Well done.
Very interesting world you've created. For rarely writing poetry, this is amazing.
Major thanks, everyone. All those kind words gave me quite the grin.
I absolutely LOVE this. It takes me back to some of the Arthurian folklore written in verse. Awesome! Thanks!
Loved it! Gave me happy goose bumps...you're so right about the perfection of the flower!
wonderful epic poem! A La Cid Campeador or the Arthurian tales. Love it!
Hey Jeff,
I'm here and then I will go back there and comment about the fact I commented here..
Thine poetry, good sire, be music to my soul that doth sing with the joyous glee your words provoke.
Nicely done, Sir Jeff.
Gary :)
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