This poem was inspired by those found in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, as well as Homer's Epics. It has an unusual rhyme scheme, with some rhymes in the middle of a line instead of the end. While it has a certain number of syllables for each line, it does not have a set meter. A great gem is carved into the form of a beautiful woman, Naladain, who is brought to life when Edailude sees her. They run away, but are pursued by the owners of the gem and others. Though he and Naladain are hopelessly outnumbered, Luck favors their cause, so terrible misfortunes befall their pursuers. The fight to take back Naladain causes endless pain for both sides.
The Diamond of Nath
Deep beneath the granite mountains of Quest
Spiraling silver halls, bright chambers lay.
Here in grand Nath our adventure befalls
Of a great gem's sway o'er even the best.
Long ago, when sound of pick and axe rang,
Chiseling broad paths through oppressive rock,
Men stumbled upon a jewel, deep in Nath.
Such size was it, talk echoed and awe sang.
A perfect diamond, largest ever found,
So the king decided it would be cut
By the great craftsman Abail far lauded.
Eccentric, but diligent as a hound,
Abail's steady hands labored long and hard,
And as years passed, ideals took on form,
Lady of diamond, beauty ever last.
Each hair uniform, uplifted eyes starred.
The figure held court on a diamond throne
Placed beside the king's, all who beheld her
Gave tribute to her perfection: gold rings,
Strong trinkets of power, wealth of her own.
Word of the jewel of Nath wandered far:
From western Glafait, where ships sail the air,
To eastern Kalu, for which the skies wait.
One man, Edailude fair, luck with no mar,
Came to the shining caves of Nath proudly.
When he saw her sitting, wonder fell
On him, passion against reason pitting.
Plans made, he left, bells crying noon loudly.
And after midnight tolled, he returned there.
Fair Edailude's gaze upon the lady,
Turned diamond to flesh, beginning the raze
Of Nath, a malady unseen elsewhere.
The pristine Jewel of Nath rose from her perch,
Her soft hand she laid, newly warm, in his.
Naladain was her name, debt to stone paid,
They left in bliss to walk among the birch.
In the forests of Quest, his golden home,
They lived together, happy with themselves.
Long as there dwelt, they had always fair weather.
Tread light as elves, around the earth they roam.
But these serene, peaceful days could not last.
For when morning came and the Jewel was gone,
The people of Nath's grief found a new aim.
Focused on the one who stole, minds aghast.
They vowed to reclaim Naladain or die.
Allies were called from Kalu and Glafait,
Such clamor aroused, that Quest's forests palled.
Each side bound by fate, an unyielding tie.
All the might of Nath against one small man,
May seem hopeless, but Edailude had luck,
So the armies of Nath found things joyless
As they marched through muck, Nature's own ban.
Earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, all heaped
Upon their heads, with not a reprieve won.
Nath itself collapsed, rubble on their beds,
Every father and son buried, lives reaped.
The like of Nath would never be seen again
This destruction wrought by Edailude fair
Caused cruelty forever as the sides fought.
All in name of their lady Naladain.
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A Rent In Reality: Poems and Short Stories
PoetryA few of my poems and short stories, of many different kinds. Some are in meter, some free verse, some rhyme, some do not. I find words to be magical things. They bring us places that we cannot go, and allow us to experience more in an hour than we...
