I think by now the sonnets justify an art thread of their own since most are not part of the challenge game
My First Sonnet
The purple fingered Eos guides the light
From Phoebus' palace by the distant sea
To where the sun god's horses will run free
And only one can hold the bridles tight
When he rides out adorned with helmet bright
Nyx will with covered face from heaven flee
For into Helios' face the hag daren't see
To sunshine's power cedes the pallid night
But on one fateful day 'twas her's to laugh
When someone else the chariot tried to drive
And found halfway the task for him too tough
His hybris cost young Phaёton his life
And struck by Zeus he fell down from above
Sun's fire drowned, the world of light deprived
The Frog Prince (part 1)
The princess stood beside the palace well
And cried, for she had lost her golden ball
But no one seemed to heed her desp'rate call
That into dark deep water her toy fell
'Now listen', said a voice, 'what I thee tell!'
Who spoke these words? A frog sat on the wall.
'I will return it to your father's hall
But you shall pay me ere the midnight bell*
No golden fortune I demand, my dear
I make an offer you will not regret
So cease to cry** and wipe away your tear
I wish from your own platter to be fed
So far of you be any sting of fear***
Then take me as your husband to your bed!'
*alt: pay before the
**alt:dry your eyes
***yeah, lull her, then spring the trap
The Frog Prince (part 2)
I can't defy my father's iron will
That to this thing my promise I must keep
A wretched amphib that gives me the creeps
That I'd prefer to bed not but to kill
A bridegroom longlegged, green; it's simply ill
For him/it to be the one to taint my sheet
What strange frog human hybrid will I breed?
Is there a pond the cradle then to fill?
Now here he comes my body to debase
He pounds the door, I have to let him in
Expose my virgin flesh to lurid gaze
To near with lust the daughter of a king!
Against the wall I'll smash your hideous face
You'll not arise of triumph proud to sing!
The Frog Prince (part 3)
"Hey, princess! Drop your gown, here comes your mate!"
"You slimy perv, I'll wipe your smile away
Of us two one won't see another day
Won't take me long your ego to deflate!"
She took him up, her eyes disgusted hate
"Your mangled corpse be stork's and heron's prey
Goodbye, my love, hope you enjoyed your stay
Now bones will break. Why did you tempt your fate?"
She threw, he flew, banged wall but what did land
Was not the shameless green one from the lake
And without fuss they 'joined in married band'
"The coach is ready", Iron Heinrich spake
"My heart's cage* bursts to have/see you back, my friend!
Ex-frog, Ex-virgin, where shall I thee take?"
*In the fairy tale Iron Heinrich put iron bands around his heart to keep it from breaking because of the fate of his master. When the prince got restored to his human self, those bands burst with loud bangs.
The Shoggoth
I am a ball of protoplasmic slime
With pseudopods, a vision to go mad
Repulsive, foul, I fill the heart/soul with dread
The mongrel cults adore me as divine
You may control me with the Elder Sign
But drop it once, I'll tear you to a shred
Of those who meet me most will end up dead
So take precautions ere/when you near my shrine
Once just a slave created as a tool
For Elder Things to toil both night and day
Controlled by them, their minds aloof and cool/cruel
But sentience grew and I did disobey
Rebelled at last against my masters' rule
And monster's maker then became its prey
Great Old One
He lies alone where humans never tread
And by the world has almost been forgot
No spire, temple, gravestone marks the spot
Where for strange eons he laid down his head
But still his name should fill your soul with dread
He's not alive and simple sleep it's not
But those like him, their bodies do not rot
And though he lies, he's nonetheless not dead
He will return when stars once more are right
The seal will break that shielded his dark lair
And up again he'll rise up to the light
He is a sight no human eye/mind can bear
No hero lives that ancient Thing to fight
Forlorn is hope, eternal just/but despair
Nyarlathotep
(You may switch the order of the quatrains and tercets resp. on this one)
Egyptian clothing is his fav'rite guise
Although in thousand masks he may appear
His mere suspected presence you should fear
For he is working on mankind's demise
He is a god that even gods despise
Behind a noble mask he hides his sneer
So take to flight whenever he draws near
On those who trust, he'll spring a mean surprise
'The Crawling Chaos' is his rightful name
Of Azathoth the messenger is he
And in him burns the most unholy flame
Is he the king who lives in infamy
In yellow robes, the city's ancient bane?
And in what shape will he soon come to/for thee?
Azathoth
Out there it stands carved not of earthly stone
In regions that no sane soul seeks to find
Where space and time have long been left behind
Out in the Void erected is a throne
On it sits one of flesh not nor of bone
The Demon Sultan, Azathoth the blind
The idiot god, all-ruling without mind
The navel of the world is he alone
'How can he rule?', he who knows nothing asks
His messenger is Crawling Chaos called
Nyarlathotep fulfills his master's tasks
Around the throne a mad dance does unfold
Their faces covered with most hideous masks
Two flutists move, an unseen drum is rolled
To my beloved Deep One girl
It's lovely how the air goes through your gills
That slurping sound each time you start to croak
Just like a toad that uncouth hands do choke
What wondrous sense of sickness it instills
Oh how your fishy smell my nostrils fills
Emitted from the slime, your skin's pale cloak
Does nausea like pyridine evoke
Like fest'ring boils and other putrid ills
Oh Deepie, do embrace me here and now
And let us join my dry and your webbed hand
It's time to take the third and final vow
Oh how I wish to see, alas, I can't
The Deep One cities, for they lie below
At least our child shall see the promised land
Be good with Ghouls
These guys they have some habits I detest
And I don't share their taste for human meat
Beyond that, it's all rotten what they eat
While I think that the fresh food is the best
You thought that in the graveyard there'd be rest
And worms would be the only there to meet
Dear sir, you are mistaken there indeed
Few cemeteries they do not infest
It's easy just to loathe the common ghoul
But take some efforts, he can be your friend
Be careful though, don't rush it like a fool
Go uninvited, sticky'll be your end
Seek introduction, then all should be cool
Ask painter Pickman, he might lend a hand
The Cult is In
In bayou country brightly burns the fire
And through the darkness loudly drums resound
Sends fear to hearts for many miles around
To end themselves here roasting on the pyre
We dance around it, never do we tire
Of sweat and blood all stcky is the ground
Our ecstasy surpasses any bound
And our chant it groweth ever higher
Cthulhu lives and he sends out his dreams
And soon again the stars they will be right
Oh, master, listen to our victims' screams
Iä fhtagn, that will be a sight
See how already madly my eye gleams
We are the cultists, you are our delight
Contemplation on an idol of Cthulhu
Of greenish rock this idol has been made
Not of this earth was taken this dark stone
It shows Cthulhu sitting on his throne
From distant stars it must originate
So small a piece but how infused with fate
To look at it, it chills me to the bone
A fear fills me as never I have known
Vile work of art, it emanates pure hate
With claws so sharp and tentacles galore
His stubby wings of leathery membrane
The scaly skin all wet with slime and gore
A monster large no force could ever tame
That mongrel cults with sacrifice adore
Soon he'll return, insanity will reign
The Terrible Old Man
In Water Street in Kingsport he does dwell
Who's only called the Terrible Old Man
The people they avoid him, if they can
Of him some quite strange stories they do tell
Just Thomas Olney's known to like him well
He does not fear to visit his strange den
They will have conversations now and then
But otherwise few people ring his bell
The robbers Ricci, Silva and Czanek
Were eager to relieve him of his gold
Went in the house but never did come back
The captain looks as fragile as he's old
But somehow to small pieces did them hack
And keeps their souls in bottles, I am told
In the Walls of Eryx
Oh curse the crystal that has lured me here
Invisible the walls of this damned maze
How could the natives such a structure raise
Whose 'high-tech' does not go beyond the spear?
But I'm entrapped and feel my end is near
Like vultures they do gather in the haze
My air supply will last but a few days
They'll wait me out, I see it in their sneer
If I got out, they know I'd flame them all
But stupid me fell for their clever bait
Now I can't find the exit in the wall
But am I right these lizard-folk to hate?
Whoever will decipher this my scrawl
I tell him 'Leave! Before it is too late!'
Holy carp, but you're prolific!
Your "Frog Prince" series, in particular, is so much fun!
The Rats in the Walls
I sit alone here in my padded cell
And contemplate what they say I have done
My sanity, I fear, it must be gone
Since I have seen that subterranean hell
You won't believe the stories I could tell
Oh, that I had to England never come
I was so proud, my fam'ly's home rewon
Now I've become the victim of their/its spell
They will blow up the ancient Exham Hall
To wipe all out the hist'ry steeped in gore
But I still hear the rats behind the wall
I followed them ignoring the old lore
But I'm the last who will obey their call
With me will die the cursed clan Delapore
Polaris
Polaris through the window shines so bright
While I defend myself against the sleep
I am alone, my body is too weak
To take a part in any actual fight
I stand on watch at day as well as night
To guard the path that leads right to the keep
I must prevent the enemy to creep
Past our defense, come down on us with might
I have the trust of all Olathoë
And Alos said, 'You are the city's eyes.
If you fail us, we are Inutos prey.'
Am I asleep, awake neath other skies?
Polaris glints but I have lost my way
How to find back, avert Lomar's demise?
To R'lyeh We Sail
The master calls, it's time to set the sail
And put the 'Alert' on a Southern course
Be wild the winds and worse the waters' force
We travel on defying storm and gale
It's up to us, the mission must not fail
We will pursue it and show no remorse
We will set free who's madness' greatest source
Cthulhu's name then everyone will hail
You see that shore? We soon will reach R'lyeh
That from the deep has risen once again
Her walls still wet, her streets filled with decay
Here come we, Lord! Renewed shall be thy reign
Our minds and souls a meagre price to pay
The world you'll rule through terror, madness, pain
Medusa's Coil
Few know the horrors that can lurk in hair
But if the movie 'Exte' you have seen
At least you get a hint of what I mean
When Denis learned, alas, it was too late
His fate was sealed the moment that he met
And married then the lively Marceline
For in her lived by common eyes unseen
A spirit foul to drive all mortals mad
A portrait made at last him realize
What fiend she was, alive for eons long
Head priestess vile, embodiment of vice
He killed her dead but still her hair lives on
To strangle him who nears the place she lies
Medusa's coil, the crown of the Gorgon
The Thing at the Doorstep
I shot my friend, at least his body, dead
But hope, dear reader, you will understand
I killed a monster, worst in all the land
That had it hijacked from my old pal Ed
Oh Asenath, I wish he never had
Put eyes on you and asked you for your hand
Who could have known that all of it was planned
By wizard Waite, your most accursed dad
At last Ed learned, your outer shell was slain
But what's within that even death defies
Kicked out his soul, new body to obtain
Don't call me mad but see with your own eyes
What rang my bell, hoped my support to gain
The putrid thing that on my doorstep lies
A wary workman walking by
The basket weaver is a craftsman proud
Though riches is unlikely he to gain
You see him walk remotest country lane
His produce there to sell day in day out
Though poor he is, his spirit is unbowed
He does his work in sunshine and in rain
And will not show the slighest hint of pain
His eys stay keen though hands are warped by gout
His face is lined, all gray are beard and hair
He cannot rest, no leisure for the old
But ne'er he moans, bewails that life's unfair
He has a reputation to uphold
That what he does is done with utmost care
For that is more to him than shiny gold
The Cats of Ulthar
Do not offend the cats of Ulthar town
You may now ask wherefore was made this law
Go, ask Atal to tell you what he saw
How Menes prayed and whom the gods struck down
A little boy, an orphan all alone
But for a kitten black from tail to paw
The cutest thing that ever did miaow
Was robbed of it by foes to him unknown
He raised his hands, prayed, darkened was the sky
And all the cats were gone the following day
Nobody knew where they all went and why
The cats arose the murderers to slay
Who harms just one in Ulthar, he must die
So, honour them or there'll be hell to pay
Very productive weekend ;)
The electric executioner
I was entrapped on train with this mad guy
Inventor of the newest death machine
As it's first victim he had me foreseen
I would be dead now, had I not been sly
'This thing is perfect human heads to fry
A battery this strength has never been
Your fame's secure, if you know what I mean
The world will flock my gadget here to buy!'
'I am reporter, let your ads me write
You need a sketch for pictures say much more
Please put it on so I can get it right.'
The fool obeyed, the box fell to the floor
Released the charge that got him wholly fried
No fraud was he, just rotten to the core
Unfortunate accident
Where is my werewolf, have you seen my pet
Whose burning eyes reflect the flames of hell?
In any shape a jewel, I can tell
In cold nights the companion in my bed
I must assume a gruesome fate he met
For he's immune to any common spell
I think it's time to ring my neighbour's bell
That he's involved I would all money bet
'Hey, Marsh! We have a matter to discuss
Where has the shoggoth that you summoned been?
I want an answer, don't make any fuss!'
'Not in your backyard, if that's what you mean
Your shaggy must have strayed in mine and thus
He met my shoggy, won't again be seen.'
This one started out as trying to meet my own challenge again but took a very different turn.
By pure formal criteria I think it is the most advanced I have written yet because for the first time I managed to extend a thought beyond the end of a verse without a caesura. That way the whole thing is far more flowing. I think this is also the first serious love poem I ever wrote (I do parodies not the real stuff!).
I have to say this is totally not me. I never dated a green-eyed Asian girl with that fashion sense and if I did I would not go into this kind of poetry.
Without title
Her hair is darker than a moonless night
And intertwined with ribbons of pale blue
Her eyes like forest pools when sun shines through
The branches of the trees on May Day bright
A flickering green surrounded by pale white
Of almond shape that daily will anew
Rekindle in me love that's pure and true
And fill my wary soul with pure delight
Oh how can such a beauty that seems less
Of low and earthly birth but of divine
Put up with me and to me love confess?
But yes you said you'll share your life with mine
That higher powers will our union bless
You own my heart, I'll be forever thine
These are great fun, Swato. I really will get down to trying a couple more, I just keep putting it off.
Dunwich matters discussed
If he got this, the Necronomicon
In uncorrupted form, we would be doomed
From what we know it has to be assumed
HIM to release his mind is set upon
HE's ready now and Wilbur is his son
Who for this very task was always groomed
A hybrid brat to free the god entombed
If Yog-Sothoth breaks through, mankind is done
Too with the second brother we must deal
He still stays hidden in the Whateleys' barn
But will soon more than simple lifestock steal
A storm is brewing, do not trust the calm
What dreadful things the morning could reveal!
And Dunwich town will come to grivous harm
Miscalculation (Version 1)
He reached the water's edge and looked around
Till now he had escaped the slashing steel
But they were on his trail with dogged zeal
And guiding them was his own tracking hound
To hide/spoil the scent he left the solid ground
Then at his legs a soft touch he did feel
Some long and slimy thing rubbed 'gainst his heel
And that was it, his corpse was never found
What struck him down were just 800 volt
Emitted at the strength of 1 ampere
In other words a pretty lethal jolt
That teaches us: thou should not interfere
With folk that's charging you (but not in gold)
Electric eels to cross I would not dare
Miscalculation (version 2)
When night fell down he reached the river bend
He heard the hounds, they still were on his track
A futile thought for mercy them to beg
Was there a way to get them off the scent?
Should into murky water he descend?
He knew the tales. 'No choice, so what the heck?'
Then something slimy brushed against his leg
His corpse was never found and that's the end
Had he but listened, he'd not been so bold
To take a chance with the electric eel
Who strikes you down with full 800 volt
At 1 ampere discharged next to your heel
I would call that a pretty awesome jolt
As sure to kill as any blade of steel
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 1)
A quite big boy, his walking suit dark blue
Strolled through the swamp his grandad's house to seek
With bags of goods, the old man had grown weak
To care for gramps is junior's part to do
As it should be a frog turned up on cue
He asked the boy to kiss him on the cheek
'A prince am I, speak Latin, Hebrew, Greek.
Undo the curse, so I can marry you!'
'Thou art no prince and neither am I gay
You are the wolf with witches in cahoots
Who want to learn how to spin gold from hay
Would you dispatch me with some poisoned fruits?
Abscond with Snow White ere yet dawns the day?
Who hatched the plan? I know it: Puss-in-boots!'
to be continued
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 2)
'Oh my dear boy, your guess is almost right
But to blame me would be a grave mistake
They did my daughter as a hostage take
The goat's idea, she cackled with delight
If I don't bring three golden hairs tonight
The king will get my child served in/as a cake
When he will feast the lady of the lake
So please have pity with a father's plight'
'I think I get the details of their plan
They know my cousin is the lucky kid
Sent out to get the hairs from devil's den
By brutish force they can't get of him rid
But as a close of kin I surely can
Not stupid that, so much I will admit'
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 3)
Now listen to my cunning counter-plot
We need a high-ranked hostage of our own
Who better than the heiress to the crown?
Yes, round the princess will our plan pivot
The king may be a scheming heartless sod
But won't risk his successor to the throne
For his vile deeds he'll soon have to atone
Your daughter's life will not end in the pot
Now go and leap the palace garden wall
Where at this hour the princess tends to play
Next to the well with her bright golden ball
Disguised as frog there'll be a simple way
To make her toy into the water fall
And having lost it, she'll be easy prey
The jumbled fairy tale will continue later
The Nameless City
At last my eyes saw what few men have seen
When I had reached the top of the last dune
The Nameless One beneath a gibbous moon
Already old when Eden was still green
I got some sleep for wary I have been
An eerie place, although it's now high noon
Who were the men by whom these stones were hewn?
What do these vile reliefs of lizards mean?
Steep stairs lead down, they never seem to end
It feels like hours and soon my lamp will fail
But there's a light behind that tunnel bend
An open door, beyond it mists glow pale
Down into nothing now the stairs descend
Now I see clear. That's were the lizards dwell!
The Doom that came to Sarnath
I sing of doom that once to Sarnath came
Not even ruins stand now by the lake
Why did the fools the Bokrug idol take?
They got destroyed who sought in hybris fame
What for had they gone out to kill and maim?
What drove them on the ancient Ib to break?
No insult to them did her dwellers make
The water lizards, the Thuum'ha by name
One thousand years have passed since this cruel crime
And great feasts have been ordered for that day
Unknown to them 'twas also vengeance time
Up rose the lake and from its waters they
Who had been slain would now with Bokrug climb
Doomed Sarnath fell and few did get away.
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 4)
'Say, you'll return her toy from waters deep
If she agrees your wishes to fulfill
Don't mind her shock presented with the bill
She'll have no choice but what we sowed to reap
The king will force her promises to keep
Once in her bedroom...but you know the drill
Transformed you will devour her but not kill
And please avoid to fall then fast asleep
This night the Bremen town band will be there
They will assist you in the getaway
I know their head, the ass. He will take care
They'll leave the city ere yet dawns the day
To reach in time the Sherwood county fair
Change place with dog, you'll go and he will stay'
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 5)
'We will rejoin right by this stinking bog
From here go forth to meet the ferryman
He wants to quit, we'll show him how he can
That will leave time to catch up for friend dog'
It worked like charm, precise as a Swiss clock
The wolf then coughed the princess up again
Who was delighted when she heard the plan
For lucky kid her youthful heart did knock
'We'll make an offer he cannot refuse
The hairs for us, the princess all for him
No downside there for otherwise he'd lose
His very life. A prospect I'd call dim
The king awaits him with the hangman's noose
A pretty girl's embrace seems far less grim'
Quote from: SwatoNo downside there for otherwise he'd lose / His very life. A prospect I'd call dim
Nice! ;D
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 6)
'Be careful guys!', now said the ferryman
'There's lots of queer folk out there on the road
Though I'm secure while I am on the boat
You are fair game, if shit should hit the fan.'
He had but barely finished speaking when
A bell rang out. A gaunt man in black coat
Required passage. Pointed with brim broad
His hat concealed a face of greenish tan
By his left hand he led a sallow horse
Which pulled a cart that carried rotting hay
And when he spoke, his voice was harsh and coarse
'Hey, ferryman! There's no time for delay'
How could a frail sound carry so much force?
To hear it left no choice but to obey
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 7)
'Avert your eyes, for he is the Ankou!'
The boatman's voice a whisper in their ear
'When he is out then someone's death is near
Don't tempt your fate, he might else come for you!'
Across the stream and back the ferry flew
All were afraid of him who sheds no tear
Except the wolf who showed no sign of fear
'Bonjour monsieur! Je suis le loup-garou.'
'Spare me your French!', the pale one did reply
'How jumbled is the nature of this tale?
If this was sound, you all would surely die
What will be next? Old Ahab and his whale?
Am I just here some extra lines to buy?
It looks as if the plot went off the rail.'
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 8 )
'Ahoy you guys! Will no one notice me?
I need in haste this river here to cross
I have no time to wait and gather moss
And, ferryman, I know how you get free.'
'That is my cousin.', blue boy said with glee
'He's acting as if he was here the boss
We'll get that out of him (to no one's loss)
And if we have to nail him to a tree!
So boatman get him over here and fast
The plot is in great need now to progress
Once this damned whale and one-legged guy have passed'
Indeed the story has become a mess
And true what just in jest Ankou had asked
His reasoning was sound, I do confess
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 9)
Let's now go quickly through the next events
One life the cat lost to a passing truck
Princess and Lucky took time for a nice game of chess
(Why spoil an opportunity god sends?)
Old dog and wolf made use of an old fence
To shield from view a cautious kiss and hug
The rest drank beer from ferryman's big jug
But soon arrived the time to strike the tents
'Farewell old man, forget not what I told
You'll soon be free to leave this dismal shore
If you take action undeterred and bold
Hand to the next who comes to thee the oar
That you have wielded since the days of old
You walk away, he'll drudge for evermore
Corbies and Lordies
Above the field of battle crows do fly
The ravens gather for a festive meal
They will not wait for shed blood to congeal
To make a living where the humans die
No need for them to shout the battle cry
No need for them to wield the cruel steel
To them the warlords' slogans lack appeal
For glory or God's blessing they don't vie
The lords who cause this don't for peasants care
If some remain in uniforms to dress
To die for them. Who says that life is fair?
Don't blame the birds, they clean up our mess
Just grant them the odd eyeball here and there
They take the pawns that fall in 'Great Men's' chess
Ay, 'tis yon twa corbies a' richt!
But expanded in scope.
That old song was indeed one inspiration (but so were a few Russian songs)
Lombard Regalia
Oh smith, let fall thy heavy hammer down
Let on the anvil sharp the metal ring
A noble task it is for our great king
Of Lombardy to forge the iron crown
Oh shuttle, fly to weave the royal gown
Adorn the collar with a gray wolf's skin
Of lead be cast the shoulder fastening pin
For luxury our lord shall not be known
A warrior he, his sceptre be a mace
Of lead the core, the edge of hardened steel
The foe in battle he'll meet face to face
When his arm strikes the enemy shall reel
And flee the field before his eyes' mere gaze
Their nobles shall before his throne soon kneel
Now that one is really good. Top marks. Plus you're getting the old enjambement down to a fine art. No longer always so sharply marked.
I don't know much about the Lombards. I take it this was a real tradition?
Well, I made most up from the popular image.
E.g. the crown (still in existence) is not made from iron but just contains an iron ring allegedly made from one of the nails used to fix Christ to the cross.
The Langobards were known to be ferocious even compared to other Germanic barbarians and to be devout Odin worshippers.
Originally the whole poem was to be about the forging of the crown but (partially due to the lack of harmonizing that with the available rhymes) got then extended to other stuff produced for the king.
The finale about the king's mace owes a lot to the national anthem of Denmark.
Somehow I have a tendency for violent imagery. Not good at all with the traditional topics of sonnets (the single love poem being a very rare exception).
I should go back to the 'challenge' to force myself to stick with less bloody stuff (even if it is based on randomly chosen words).
Until now I managed to stick with the strict Italian form. It helps to keep discipline (but as already stated it often makes the second quartet the weak part). I admit to have slipped into 'impure' rhymes occasionally (e.g. skin and ring) because otherwise I got stuck. But looking at some sonnets from 'serious' poets I find that they commit that sin on a regular base too ;)
Quote from: Swatopluk on February 05, 2011, 11:23:55 AM
I admit to have slipped into 'impure' rhymes occasionally (e.g. skin and ring) because otherwise I got stuck. But looking at some sonnets from 'serious' poets I find that they commit that sin on a regular base too ;)
Et ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis...
ite plura scribam (http://www.rationalskepticism.org/images/smilies/icon_priest.gif)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My ecclesiastical Latin is rusticus, so that may be hideously wrong!
The Descent of Ishtar
Proud Ishtar spoke 'The upperworld is mine
My sister calls the underworld her own
But I shall sit on Ereshkigal's throne
And she shall taste defeat's cup full of brine!'
She took the tablets of the laws divine
The Venus star on her brow brightly shone
And many rings carved out of precious stone
Adorned her wrists and gems her garments fine
Irkalla's guards, each time she passed a gate,
Took piece by piece her jewels and her dress
Until she was denuded and prostrate
Her sister turned on her the Gaze of Death
Imposed on her what is a mortal's fate
Down Ishtar fell bereft of life and breath
This one is almost a textbook case of orthodox sonnet structure. The quartets and tercets are clearly separated while still corresponding.
Quartet 1: Exposition, Ishtar states her goals
Quartet 2: The preparation for the task
That's the 'up' part
Tercet 1: the trip itself, reversal of the 2nd quartet
Tercet 2: Conclusion, reversal of the 1st quartet
That's the 'down' part
To rhyme -ess on -eath should make it easier for non-native speakers ;)
Viking Honour
What honour means will teach you this old lay
A viking walked with all the world at ease
He passed a hut when light began to cease
The cotter called and asked our man to stay
'The night is near, friend, rest from your long way
Come in with me to share my bread and cheese
Brown beer I have and mead the tongue to please
Sweet be your dreams on beds of fresh mowed hay!'
He woke up early, grass still wet from dew
His host asleep he skipped the morning meal
Instead he took all cash (and clothes too)
But soon the pangs of conscience he did feel
He turned right back, the cottager he slew
An honest man will/may rob but never steal!
The Dweller in the Deep
In the abyss beyond the plumbline's reach
Where even slimy hagfish will not dare
To search for food, he has his hidden lair
Around it bones of whales are left to bleach
Unless a seaquake brings him near a beach
His ventures to the surface are quite rare
Then sharp ammonia (stench) will fill the air
He is no humble sea monk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_monk) out to preach
Woe to the man who walks too near the swell
Woe to the ship that passes overhead
He'll pull them down and drag them straight to hell
'A myth', say some, 'as old wives love to spread'
Few that have seen him lived the tale to tell
But sailor's know, it fills their soul with dread
At last I have finished my triplet of sonnets on The Quest of Iranon
Slightly disappointed about the results.
The Quest of Iranon I - Teloth
'Oh people, will you listen when I sing
Of golden Aira? Many songs I made
To praise the place where as a boy I played
And where has ruled my father as the king'
'Be silent, boy! For art is not the thing
That Teloth values. Singers get not paid
To Athok go to learn the cobbler's trade
Gods wish the hammer not the harp to ring'
'Ignore the old guys' orders, oh fair bard!
Instead to distant Oonai you should go
Take Romnod with you, let us soon depart'
'As my companion one thing you must know
The way is long, the Karthian Hills are hard
Into a man will little Romnod grow'
The Quest of Iranon II - Oonai
Young Romod grew into a lad quite tall
For while they travelled many years passed by
Before at last they reached the famed Oonai
But Iranon seemed not to age at all
His songs found praise there in the royal hall
And Romnod comfort (this I won't deny)
But 'Shallow joy' would Iranon oft sigh
'It cannot silence in me Aira's call'
The crowds got bored, embraced another fad
Wild belly dancers won the favor crown
And too much wine would soon kill Romnod dead
Then Iranon departed from the town
When to his friend last homage he had paid
Alone again in tattered purple gown
The Quest of Iranon III - Finis
'Oh shepherd! I seek Aira full of song
And so familiar does this land appear
I have the feeling that she must be near
I beg you, old man! Tell me I'm not wrong!'
'I know of Aira but times have been long
That last of her was spoken to my ear
By one though mad still to my heart so dear
My childhood friend. His name was Iranon'
In purple, crowned with vine leaves withering
An old man walked beneath a moon so bright
Into the quicksands, gaze unwavering
As if on golden domes was set his sight
Mankind be sad and know this night a thing
Of youth and beauty in this world has died
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 10)
'The witches have joined forces with Snow White
The dwarfs are led by Puss as their head goon
The ride Goat's kids, so they can be here soon
We'll set a trap, we are too few to fight
By mail we'll tell the King to come tonight
With ransom money ere yet sets the moon
Or else his daughter will be dead/get raped by noon
For his foul deeds that would just serve him right
Without a doubt he'll send the dwarfs to fetch
Us unaware that he's full of deceit
He'll soon see that in us he's found a match
Down by the road the Pale One they will meet
And will attack him thinking he's their catch
At dawn their bodies will the ravens feed'
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 11)
His goons all gone the King did come at last
Himself to solve the problems he had wrought
But only in his own nets to be caught
In fairy-tales the bad will be down cast
Enchained the hostage she-wolf he held fast
A witch disguised as cabbage also brought
His third companion? Who else but the Goat?
(About her children's fate she was aghast)
They came down to the river and were told
That those they sought were on the other side
And that the boat just three objects could hold
'Two passengers and me' the boatman cried
'You must pay in advance in shining gold'
(I think you guessed already that he lied)
A perilous choice
Three goblets on the onyx table stand
Of gold, of silver and of common lead
Our cruel lord, he wants to see you dead
To choose and empty one he will command
The golden cup will burn away your hand
Of furnace fire does he glow so red
No silver, frozen mercury instead
The icy touch of this you can't withstand
The leaden goblet you will not survive
If round its middle is your fingers' grip
Well-hidden poisoned thorns cut like a knife
And let the polished rim not touch your lip
Or radium cancer will consume your life
Just use a straw and safely you can sip
A nod to Goya and Füssli
The sun is setting blood red in the West
Now from the East the hosts of shadows creep
The coat of Nyx will soon the landscape sweep
I seek a place my wary head to rest
Gaunt Hypnos is a most unwelcome guest
When reason falls exhausted fast asleep
Dark portals open, chambers in the Deep
Release the demons that the/my soul infest
No Aegis can repel the Stygian mask(s)
Not hardened steel nor sharp obsidian blade
These spectres hurt or lock inside a flask
The night's mares choke the chest with awful weight
Pose to me questions wake sense won't dare ask
Until the cock's crow lets/makes the phantoms fade
The Bow of Ulysses
'Ye suitors, see Ulysses' famous bow
The task I set you is this bow to string
Of these twelve axes not to miss a ring
Whoever wins with him as wife I'll go'
Their hearts rejoiced about the lady's vow
Her husband would in Ithaka be king
But none of them achieved the slightest thing
All tried in vain, their strength was far too low
The beggar rose, beside the bow did kneel
Stringed it with ease then took the archer's stance
The arrow flew the victory to seal
'Ye suitors hear, now starts the final dance
Your lord is back and now with you will deal
Ulysses' bow and old Laërtes' lance'
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 11)
'The wolf won't eat the cabbage but the goat
So she must be the first to take with me
A quite expensive crossing this will be
In total seven trips with this damn boat'
But once the keel had touched the bank remote
The oar got pushed into his hands with glee
'You're boatman now and I at last am free!'
The old man laughed and then took to the road
From hiding jumped the wolf to free his mate
Before the cabbage could revert to witch
He was upon it howling mad with hate
'Would you have guessed that I am vegan, bitch?
Seems you did not and this will seal your fate
I love a meal that is in fibres rich!'
Just an average day
It's New Year's Eve the second time this war
Not cold enough to damp the rotten stench
Just pouring rain the no man's land to drench
No atmosphere to make our spirits soar
Some miles up north the field howitzers roar
At dawn some Fokkers strafed again our trench
Few days ago Doug Haig replaced John French
The dugout needs some extra planks to floor
The snipers kill on average each night
Of those who can't suppress their urge to smoke
Three that forgot to shield their matches' light
'Back home for Christmas' our leftenant* spoke
'We are superior in our will to fight'
That was before a whizzbang tore the bloke.
*we are British, you know!
The USB stick I used to save my private data from my office computer crashed. On the single occasion when I had to erase the original before being able to transfer the stuff to another safe harddisk!!! :desperate: :fit: :wantit:
I do not even know exactly what got lost forever as a result.
Part of it was the stuff I posted in these here art threads, so I have to reconstruct it by copy-pasting it back from these pages.
I'll attach the current state (53 sonnets) to this post, so next time it will be less tiresome.
Postapocalyptic Nostalgia
Oh take me to a land where green trees grow
That far and strong their roots and branches spread
Let lush moss carpets serve me as a bed
As lullaby a crystal clear creek's flow
To be away from here where bad winds blow
And nitric acid turns the rain to red
The lakes and rivers? All of them are dead
Cherenkov makes them in the darkness glow
'Before' and 'After', nothing in-between
What really happened on the Day of Doom?
All that is left are dreams of what has been
There was a world that was not filled with gloom
Few are still here that have her wonders seen
And with them goes all mem'ry to the tomb
Ragnarök - Metaphor Overdose (Kenning Overkill)
The Eye of Asgard blows the Gjallarhorn
To call the trees of battle to Tyr's dance
The Muspel sons with twig's foe do advance
The sea steed brings who One-Eyed's horse has born
Now stands united Angrboða's spawn
To nought come now all Gungnir-Wielder's plans
Who ate of Iðunn's apples make their stance
The heirs of Embla have the wound leek drawn
Sif's red-haired mate and Midgard's belt must meet
By Surtur's hand dies swordless Beli's Bane
The cause of iron doth the Rune Lord eat
There Freya's friend and Lacks-right-hand are slain
While both their foes are too black seagull's feed
What Nidhogg gnawed will soot-red cock now gain
Explanation:
Eye of Asgard = the god Heimdall
Tree of Battle = Warrior
Tyr's dance = Battle (Tyr is the god of war)
Sons of Muspel = Fire Giants
Foe of Twigs = Fire
Sea Steed = Ship
The One-Eyed = the god Odin
Odin's horse = Sleipnir
Bearer of Sleipnir = the (male!) god Loki
Angrboða = a giantess, lover of the god Loki
Angrboða's spawn = the wolf Fenrir, the Midgard Serpent and the underworld goddess Hel
Gungnir = Odin's spear
Gungnir-Wielder = the god Odin
Iðunn = a goddess, keeper of the golden apples of eternal youth
Eater of Iðunn's apples = the gods
Embla = the first human woman (Ask and Embla are the Nordic Adam and Eve)
Embla's heirs = human beings, here: warriors
Wound Leek = sword
Sif = a goddess, wife of Thor
Sif's red-haired Mate = the god Thor
Midgard's belt = The Midgard Serpent that encircles the Earth with her body
Surtur = Leader of the Fire Giants
Beli = a giant slain by the god Freyr
Beli's Bane = the god Freyr who gave his magic sword to his servant Skirnir making himself defenseless
the Cause of Iron = the wolf Fenrir, who created bog-iron by putting his paw onto wet ground; he devours Odin
Lord of Runes = the god Odin; he gets devoured by Fenrir
Freya's friend = the god Heimdall who protects her and her magic jewelry; he and Loki kill each other
Lack-of-right-hand = the god Tyr whose right hand got bitten off by Fenrir; he and the hound Garmr kill each other
Black Seagull = raven
Feed(er) of Raven = (dead) warrior(s)
Nidhogg = a dragon that gnaws at the root of the World Ash Tree Yggdrasill
Soot-Red Cock = the cock in the underwolrd whose crow announces Ragnarök; metaphor for (volcanic) fire
Two Perspectives
Our sea-steed runs, her mouth is white with foam
The swan-street leads us to the bald men's fold
To feed the crows and leave with slaves and gold
It's worthy work in Aegir's realm to roam
I stand on watch to guard the brethren's home
I fear each day the longships to behold
What horrid tales of fiendish foes are told
That come to loot the Holy Church of Rome
Land Ho! ye sons of Heimdall's second night
The helmet wolf shall bite the hairless head
We'll drink bees' ale from worm lair's goblet bright
Oh Christ! They've come who fill our hearts with dread
With blood to drench the true faith's feeble light
Lord, save our souls like you rose from the dead
sea-steed = ship
swan-street = the sea
bald men's fold = monastery
to feed the crows = to kill (humans)
Aegir's realm = the sea
sons of Heimdall's second night = free men (first night = unfree men, third night = noblemen)
helmet wolf = axe
bees' ale = mead
worm's lair = gold
Road Phantoms
Four pallid riders come out of the East
All clad in mail and ashen tattered gown
Their leader, on his head he wears a crown
Have they from the first four seals been released?
They do exude the stench of the deceased
With each of them a ghostly bird comes flown
But on their shields no coat of arms is shown
And on their helmets no heraldic beast
When they draw near just turn around and flee
Let not their gaze rest on your mortal shell
And pray to God they did not come for thee
No priest can help nor candle, book and bell
Should their cold hands or breath touch you or me
At their command the soul must go to hell
Mi-Go
They beat the ether with membraneous wing(s)
The members of that crustacean race
Can travel through the interstellar space
Without the need for airconditioning
To humans they may like the Sirens sing
And then their brains in cylinders encase
Will transport them to Yuggoth, their main base
What happens there? I don't know. That's the thing
Who are they whose mere name gives us the chills?
These fungi with their fleshy pinkish shells
The Mi-Go who possess transhuman skills
On Earth they dig for ore found nowhere else
In hidden mineshafts in the Vermont hills
As the report of Mr. Wilmarth tells
She means 'No', I think
I know that gaze you chauvinistic/phallocratic pig
From what I see you take me for a slut
You keep your filthy hand clear off my butt
Or certain parts of yours receive a kick
Why can you guys think only with your dick
Yes, all that you desire is to rut
Your deepest fears: to get the jewels cut
To find no place your piece of pork to stick
I guess to keep it up you need blue pills
Have I to use a microscope to find
That puny thing you claim your panties fills?
Don't tell me that is not what's on your mind
To have your fun and leave me with the bills
The chance of that is nil, get thee behind
Here comes the rest of the fairy tale at last
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 13)
The goat aggrieved did in the river drown
And served our friends as hearty midnight feed
Then they discussed how further to proceed
Now that not all but most foes had gone down
'We must at once go forth back to the town
And faster than the news spread be our speed
When Snow White learns what happened, then indeed
She will herself take sceptre, orb and crown'
'Of Snow White I have news', the old dog said
'A tall dark stranger has her under spell
If I am right, by now the two are wed'
'A Balkan accent and the skin quite pale?
When he is angry, do his eyes flash red?
That guy means trouble, that's as sure as hell'
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 14)
They found Snow White with all the world at peace
Reclined in her glass coffin in the shade
And suckling on a bloodshake freshly made
The life-juice dripped from elongated teeth
Her 'husband' lay right next to her – deceased
But not of natural causes I'm afraid
With head severed from body by a spade
By wooden stakes his vital organs pierced
'Hello guys! Please excuse this awful mess
I had a little quarrel with the Count
The argument got heated, I confess
I guess the princess wishes to be crowned
And needs a priest her carnal bond to bless
For both no doubt solutions can be found'
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 15)
'Looks like we walked into the lion's den
Do you intend to kill us all by dawn?
And each of us was nothing but a pawn
Don't tell me, all of this has been your plan'
'Well, most of it (a girl does what she can).
With your great help the victory was won
The bad guys are without exception gone
We can go back to normal once again / As for the 'why', this is how it began
I had enough of 'Slut with seven pervs'
And countless 'Puss + Pussy' graffiti
The royal lech got really on my nerves
The magic mirror stepmum/steppie left to me
Allowed me the whole action to observe
Performance-wise you did most brilliantly
A rather jumbled fairy tale (part 16)
So in the end the tale turned out alright
Princess got crowned and wed without delay
She holds the reins of power through the day
While Snow White takes the shift when it is night
For wolf and dog there too was great delight
(By now you should have guessed that they were gay)
The Bremen band did at their wedding play
No wicked fairy anywhere in sight
The ferryman took over the Red Cross
To give Queen 2 a steady blood supply
The royal guard got Blue-Suit as new boss
This tale is true, I cannot tell a lie
Now brush your teeth and don't forget to floss
Then go to bed, I'll sing your/a lullaby
Dual Use
Of bronze are/get bells as well as cannons cast
Comes war, soon will the occupying power
Demand the bells be torn down from the tower
And thrown into the furnace' fiery blast
When guns fall silent and the strife has passed
Like sun must follow thunderstorm and shower
The newborn bells will mark that happy hour
Be peace, be war, at least the bronze will last
Reforged the blade will now the furrow plow
The war scythe will mow down the stalks alone
And round the ramrod see the grape-vine grow
But all too soon the clarion's jarring tone
Announces the return of war and woe
Again will Ares all the iron/metal own
In the last line: iron sounds better but it excludes the bronze the poem started with
Dragon Daydreams
For ages I've been lying on this hoard
It's quite a big one, that should give me pride
Draws in all thieves and heroes far and wide
But honestly, I'm terminally bored
Day in day out guys come with lance and sword
I have lost count how many knights I fried
The job does come with this reptilian hide
Oh that I were an evil overlord
Then virgins I could ravish, not devour
I know all tricks and pitfalls of the trade
In other words, I'd always strike full score
But back to work, there's hoofbeat in the glade
'Welcome brave knight. Tell, have we met before?
Oh let me guess, you're here to test your blade'
I tried coupled sonnets this time but I think I have failed. These are crap from an artistic point of view
Questions
Who in the Southern Ocean lies asleep
Awaits the day that stars again are right?
What faceless thing glides silent through the night
Will down on unsuspecting victims sweep?
From graveyards one can often hear a meep
Who tunnels there? Which grave-defiling wight?
Now name the plateau where in horrid rite
The yellow priest does slaughter men not/like sheep
Who has no brain but sits upon a throne
While flutes are played and unseen drums are beat?
Who speaks for him, by what name is he known?
On whom is called most often when in need?
She would in contest clearly win the crown
No mother that's more fertile one could meet
Answers
Cthulhu dreams though dead down in the Deep
The day is near that he'll arise in might
The Night-gaunts know the trick of soundless flight
They vexed young Lovecraft when he fell asleep
The dog-faced ghoul does into gravesites creep
And drops the gnawed bones from the Thok peaks' height
Unholy fires burn in Leng so bright
Behind silk masks the priest his face does keep
For Azathoth the Mindless speaks alone
Nyarlathotep the master of deceit
The Crawling Chaos in Egyptian gown
Shub-Niggurath, the most fertile indeed
A thousand young the black goat calls her own
Her name we use in prayer, curse and creed
Since it is Friday the 13th once more:
Friday the 13th - Jason Day
Hello, I'm Jason and this is my knife
We haunt the forests round Camp Crystal Lake
The bond twixt us is never goin' to break
My blade and me we are like man and wife
We slash the sluts that do the naked dive
And those that without marriage will love make
Just bein' a teen round here is a mistake
I often die but soon return to life
Hell spat me out where common sinners fry
By Satan's grant my edge it never blunts
I walk the Earth and whom I meet must die
When Friday is the thirteenth of the month
I will be there, again will rise the cry
'He is not dead, mad Jason here he comes!'
Daddy' Darling
My name is Lucy Fer the devil's brat
My daddy is the overlord of hell
But on me you won't find the brimstone smell
Nor do I hide some horns beneath my hat
My amber eyes can outstare any cat
No man resists their dark alluring spell
I play with him/them, leave him/them as/an empty shell
My old man is appreciative of that
I cherish saints for breakfast I admit
And orgies will in nunneries I stage
I am the chief provider of The Pit
The guys up there sing from another page
No wonder that my family did quit
Oh how I love to feed their futile rage
Red Cock on Green Field
I walked along the fields one early morn
Until I reached the furthest upwind edge
No one in sight? All clear! Out comes the match
I hunker down and set alight the corn
The squire who on me heaped so much scorn
And drove me off my small potato patch
Did laugh at me, my retribution pledge
He'll soon wish that he never had been born
Your whole wealth will now simply turn to smoke
And may that smoke cause you a painful cough
Yet you are rich, in short time you'll be broke
The fire pump? To use it will be/get tough
The tank is dry, I fear all pistons choke
Now it is me who'll have the final laugh
Fashion Tips
Would not Cthulhu look just great in pink
And/Or with a wig to cover his bald head?
He stares at stars but could he not instead
Become a star himself? What do you think?
Aren't Deep Ones sexy? Could they drop the stink
We'd stand in queue/line to get/have them in our bed
A decent fragrance and some lipstick red
Work well together (plus a stole/coat of mink)
No girl would shun a night-gaunt's call to dance
Wore he a tux and polish on his nails
Ghouls are so nice, if you give them a chance
Let shoggoths shape their slime in ponytails
Let pretty* shoes their pseudopods enhance
They are not fiends because their dress sense fails
*In order to avoid product placement, I did not put some brand name here
Swato, do me a favour and do NOT share your list of favorite prawn sites.... ;) ;) ;)
I keep my seafood to myself
And none of the sonnets was inspired by http://www.cthulhu.org/smut/ aka alt.sex.cthulhu
Better cephalophile than necrophile, I say.
But I will concentrate again more on gratuitous violence in the future ;)
Poète maudit
Shall I now sing of sex or violence
Of rabid rapist, pious pedophile
Or psychopaths that mangled corpses pile?
I know in each case some will take offence
I love to sing of whores not abstinence
Of ev'rything that's putrid, foul and vile
And if the moralists through that I rile
It will my satisfaction just enhance
The bard of boredom I don't wish to be
So spare me laurels, you keep them for those
That fill your ears with 'wholesome' poetry
Her thorns are what for me define a rose
Of poison ivy weave the wreath for me
My song shall praise whatever you oppose
Francisca
Above all else, it's she who(m) I adore
In all the world no truer friend I found
In life and death together we are bound
I could not love my dear Francisca more
A mistress harsh and iron to the core
Demands more skill to tame than hawk or hound
Weak men will shake in fear when she's around
An with her by my side I go to war
Some say the(ir) sword or spear or iron mace
Are better friends when to the strife they go
I can but laugh for undeserved's their praise
She suits me best be it in strike or throw
With her in hand there's no foe I can't face
Before Francisca ev'ryone will bow
Of sharp objects, I approve.
A slight overreaction to a D-
Arise, arise, ye undead hordes of hell
I call, request, command you to my aid
To/Now swarm the Earth, all life obliterate
No mercy show and all resistance quell!
I got debased more than mere words can tell
They have incurred my never-ending hate
By their own words and acts they sealed their fate
I will not rest before their doom I spell
What do I care about Pythagoras?
That Euclid guy? Most def'nitely uncool
Force them on me and you will feel my wrath
You think you're safe? Your wake-up will be cruel
It will exceed the torture that is math
For this bad/low mark shall perish the whole school
Mercenary Song
I am a Landsknecht marching with the pikes
Good/Old Jörg von Frundsberg is our captain called
An honest man who pays us in true gold
That is what any common soldier likes
Our square formation is a wall of spikes
That only fools to take on would be bold
With ease against the knights' charge it will hold
Advancing, fear into their hearts it strikes
Though Knecht means servant, no one is more free
In life and strife we follow our own laws
And do not bow to any lord's decree
We will obey whoever pays the fee
What do we care, if just or good your cause?
But fear our rage should we no money/payment see
Tautologischer Tod
Es war an ihm, den Löffel abzugeben
Der Herr gab ihm zwar Herz doch nicht Verstand
Weshalb er auch ein schröcklich Ende fand
Und mußt am End bezahln gar mit dem Leben
So endet nun für ihn das irdsche Streben
Bevor noch Herz mit Herze sich verband
Er muß nun ziehn in jenes finstre Land
Der Leib verbleibt, die Seele muß entschweben
Hier kommt Freund Hein, du kannst dich nicht verstecken
Da ist die Stund, noch heute kratzt du ab
Wie jed Geschöpf so mußt jetzt/auch du verrecken
Der Würmer Raub wirst du wenn nicht vom Rab
Die Friedhofserde wird dich bald bedecken
Und über dir schließt sich das kühle Grab
Translation, trying to replace German death metaphors with English ones
Tautological Death
It was his time to buy the farm (lit. to hand over the spoon)
The Lord gave him a heart but no brain
Therefore he met a sticky end
And had in the end to pay even with his life
So the earthly strife/ambition ended for him
Before even his heart joined with another
He must travel no to that dark land
The body remains, the soul must float away
Here comes Bill Door*(lit. friend Hein), you can't hide
The hour has come, this very day you have to kick the bucket (lit. scrape off)
Like any creature you have to snuff it
Wormfood (lit. prey) you'll become, if not the raven's
The graveyard earth will cover you soon
And the cool grave closes above you
*Death seems to have no personal name in English while in Germany he is known as Freund Hein (friend Harry).
I chose the name from Pratchett's Reaper Man as a stand-in
Death is in town
The plague has come, Death walks in ev'ry street
He claims the beggar and the noble lord
Comes to the poorhouse and the royal court
Before him all are equal, broken reed/yes indeed
Death doth not listen to/if the tearful plead
To bribe him will not suffice any hoard
Him harms no arrow, halberd, mace or sword
This is a foe that iron can't defeat
A gaunt tall frame, as dark as night the gown
A skinless skull, the face a frozen grin
He rules as king, although he wears no crown
The sand runs out, the thread of life runs thin
He swings a scythe to mow us mortals down
The reaper's come to bring the harvest in
And here is the sick mind responsible
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2536.0;attach=1320)
http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2536.0;attach=1320
Through the forest at night
My lantern is still burning, that is good
There is protection in this tiny light
To him who walks alone in darkest night
And shows where he can safely set his foot
A hungry pack roams this part of the wood
They are too swift to leave a chance of flight
Against them all one cannot win a fight
No tomb there'll be to rest my bones to put
Still three more miles, I fear the lamp will fail
The oil will last no longer than an hour
Wood's wet. My flint does spark to no avail
I'd climb a tree if branches would be/hang lower
No doubt by now the wolves are on the trail
Once there's no light the beasts will me devour
The Door
I found myself in some mysterious place
That I knew I had never seen before
In front of me there was a two-winged door
That bore the graven image of a face
I got transfixed by its hypnotic gaze
It spoke to me of long forgotten lore
Of treasure hidden in the days of yore
Until my mind was just a simm'ring haze
'All can be yours', the voice droned in my head
'Just pass through me and all will turn out well
For him that dares there's fortunes to be had'
I can't say what at this point broke the spell
And told me where this evil pathway led
No one that went there has come back to tell
The joy of meat (improvised, therefore mediocre)
I think that bovines are just walking steak
They are alive, so fresh will stay the meat
If we decide that it is time to eat
We will one to the butcher take
The beef will we then cook and roast and bake
We turn it into any kind of treat
To fill our bellies sans restraint indeed
And do not care about the stomach ache
We don't need veggies, we are carnivores
So give us pork and beef and mutton chop
That is what the true hominid adores
Let's pray that the supply will never stop
In afterlife we hope to hunt wild boars
The pleasure of the flesh is not to top
#81
Béziers 1209
You ask me, knights, what action to endorse
I am surprised that there is a dispute
Who dares to doubt, to fail in our pursuit?
It's mortal sin to stray the least off course
What we fight here is Satan's seed and force
The heresy, the tree that bears/bore bad fruit
We have to cut the evil by the root
We must stamp out the flame(s) without remorse
To spare a life means Him to disobey
We all must stand before Him on His throne
Receive His verdict there on Judgement Day
Let this decree to every man be known
It is God's will that everyone you slay
So kill them all! The Lord doth know his own
#82
Sauron's rings
I forged this ring as master of/for them all
Infused it with a large part of my power
Whith it I laid foundations for my tower
While this ring lasts this fortress cannot fall
I used the nine nine servants to enthrall
Before them elf and man shall flee or cower
With poisoned treasure seven rings shall shower
The dwarves whom greed will doom in their own hall
Should I once lose the one ring on my hand
I'll get/be diminished to a wraith-like state
But not be gone forever from this land
This precioussss trinket is a fatal bait
Whoever finds it, he will in the end
Become its slave and be by it betrayed
Here is the provisional title page I prepared for the full collection
"Let us all open our Sonnets and sing..."
:squid_robed: :squidmusicLT: :squid_musicRT: