Let me first say that although this seems like quite a long poem, if you condencesd it, you would first, lose the cadence, and secondly it really isn't that long. This was written for a school assignment, but I thought I'd throw it up here for you guys to read and for me to receive your input. This story line isn't original as I rewrote in narrative poem form the ending to the classic book, Beowulf. Please read it all the way through and leave a comment as to what you thought about it. Thanks!
Once upon a time
In a land far away
Where the beaches were rocky
And the skyline was grey
There lived an old king
Who in long ago days
Had killed the very monster
Who had threatened his ways.
He lived now in peace
For he had not any woes
As a triumphant young king
He had defeated his foes.
The land was prosperous
And under his rule
The nation was flourishing
For the king was not cruel.
He strove to protect them
As a shepherd to his flock
But the wizened old king
Was near the end of his clock.
His days were now numbered
And his time on earth short
Yet he had one act to give
One last act of great report.
Over the rivers,
Rocks and dales
Came the sad tale
To the king old and hale
Of a ravaging beast
From it’s rest disturbed
Who took it’s revenge
On the people it burned.
The king knew his time
Had come to an end
But for one last battle
His land to defend
The king set forth
With comrades and friends
The king set forth
This creature to attend.
The company traveled
To the cave of the worm
And their lord said to them,
“My resolve is yet firm.
I shall battle this foe
Yet you must wait without
And watch for the outcome
For I have not a doubt.”
“Either I should perish
Or defeat this great foe
Yet whoever shall win
This I truly know.
I have fought for mine own
And the glory in winning
But I am an old king
And I see death grinning.”
Drawing up his sword
Armed in mail and helm
Upon his arm a shield
He to defend his realm
Marched resolutely forth
All alone in his fight
Old but still hale
In his sword-arm, might.
The hoard-guard, the dragon,
Sensing the advance
Rose forth to meet him
And took a battle stance.
Then the king broke out
In a mighty storm of anger
He challenged the dragon
Heedless of his danger.
From the gaping dragon jaws
Came torrents of fire
The serpent was angered
He released all his ire.
The king raised his shield
The flaming breath to avoid.
The foe closed his jaws
While with the king he toyed.
As the two fought within
The companions without
The fierce battle they heard
Their hearts filled with doubt.
They ran from the cave
They fled from their king
All save the youngest
Who faced danger with his king.
Then king and companion
Stood behind the shield
As for a second time
The fire sought to make them yield.
Then out swept the sword
The great and old Naegling
And the king, standing tall
Made for a strong swing.
Smiting him on the snout
His blade failed him then
The heirloom weapon
Failed in the dragons den.
Naegling was snapped
On the scales of the foe
Bereft of his sword
He could deal no blow.
Then the great dragon
Reached out with his jaws
And clamped them on the king
His body to gnaw.
But the kings companion
Soldier and friend
Struck out with his weapon
His lord to defend.
The blade was an heirloom
And mighty in make
And striking not the head
Smote the belly of the snake.
The worm was weakened
And in that very hour
The king took his knife
And revealed all his power.
The keen-edged blade struck
And the dragon felt it’s bite
The worm let go of the king
It would no longer take flight.
The kinsmen victorious
Yet one mortally wounded
Saw the dragon dead
And the treasure that abounded.
Then the dear king
As he lay dying on his foe
Asked his companion
The treasure to show
So that he might be glad
And dying happy know
The dragon had provided
For the land he loved so.
Damn it you! Isn't there something you are NOT good at! Lol
Haha, thanks Headhunter :P
If you want a list though (of the things I'm not good at), I can give it to you ;D
No need.. For now...
wow...I'm with HH...you make me feel antispecial =P
*ads Arc to might be worthy to share my story with list*
Heh, thanks Sab3r :)
And if you have a story, can I read it please? Please?! :D
hmmm, maybe when I'm not paranoid of plagiaristic, copying punks on the internet.
Feel free to send me a PM presenting your case. =P
Hey! I did place my work on here didn't I? :P
But Ori and I have shared stories before, so I think I'm good :)
ya but this story might make a good buck.
and a story is much easier to steal and publish it as your own.
Hmm.... One way you could get around that is sending me a PDF. Or if you use Google Docs, you could make sure we can see it, but not edit or use it in any way. Just some ideas :)
hmmm good points