Kendra's Poems and Tales

Shadow

If it won't leave me alone it's no surprise that I'm shrill
But to no avail, my shadow follows me still.

When sunlight reveals my frown, that only fills it with glee.
Yet on a moonlit night it never fails to locate me.

Until my shadow appears the only thing that is true
Appearing in a flash on any wall within view.

But increasingly I realize that it is pleasing after all
To have such a constant companion, then I recall...

The only times my shadow has left me alone
Have been the darkest times that I have known.

And so it fills me with delight to have my shadow about
For it completes my world, without a doubt.

Tale of Faithful

On day while a woodcutter was cutting a branch of a tree above a river, his axe fell into the river. When he cried out, the Ilmater Himself appeared and asked,

“Why are you crying.”

The woodcutter replied that his axe had fallen into the water, and he needed the axe to make his living. The Ilmater then went down into the water and reappeared with a golden axe.

“Is this your axe?”

The woodcutter replied,

“No.”

Ilmater again went down and came up with a silver axe.

“Is this your axe?”

“No.”

Again, the Ilmater went into the water and surfaced with a iron axe.

“Is this your axe?”

“Yes.”

Ilmater was pleased with the man’s honesty and gave him all three axes to be his own, and the woodcutter went home happy. Some time later the woodcutter was walking with his wife along the riverbank, and his wife fell into the river; when he cried out, Ilmater appeared again and asked him why he was crying.

“Oh, Broken God, my wife has fallen into the river.”

Ilmater went down into the water and came up with a woman who's beauty was comparable to Sune Herself!

“Is this your wife?”

“Yes.”

Ilmater was furious,

“You lied to me, that is an untruth!”

The woodcutter responds,

“Oh forgive me my Lord, it was a misunderstanding…if I had said ‘no’ to that woman, you would have come up with another just as beautiful, then if I said ‘no’ to her, you would have come up with my wife. Had I said ‘yes’ you would have given me all three. Lord, I am a poor man, and am not able to take care of all three wives, and that’s why I said yes to the first.”

Fire

The element of fire.
Constructive, destructive.
The bright light of fire.
The sight of fire...
The all consuming desire.

Does not exist
In it's natural form.
Exists by consuming.
Another form.
It transforms from one.
To another.
Fuels our passion.
Leaves everything ashen.
Duels the darkness.
Heaves on compassion.

Fire, constructively destructive.
Fire, destructively constructive.
Fire, living death.
Fire, dying life.

Dreams

I still long to sit in a grass field,
Where the world is so little in my hands.
I want to lay down and look above,
And watch the images formed in my mind.
The sheep that pasture in the sky.
The sheets of cotton candies formed in my eyes.
The maiden dances on her white shoes,
The prince offers her his hand and a smile...

Then suddenly I close my eyes...
And my imagination begins to run wild.
I can see a palace enormously constructed.
Standing in an open door is the king of my life.
Bestowed upon me a high praise as he kissed my hand.
Offering the love and serenity of a lifetime.

Oh, how I love to keep dreaming that far.
To stay a child inside my heart,
Is a countless blessing.
A blissful moment at the palm of my hand.

Daylight

When daylight's gone, beauty by the firelight,
Preserved for eternity, by the love of the night.

A sunset of ember, a rose in the sky.
Kiss of sungod, end of light is night.
The skies are ablaze with the loss of the day.
And it will be again, til' the morn has not strayed.

Bring on the night, its beauty in black.
Enchanted mistress, whisps of dusk leave no track.
Days of darkness, soon to be at hand.
Blessed to the beauty of the sunkissed land.

When daylight's gone...

Daybreak is here, setting fire to the world.
Caressing the soil, giving life with vines-a-twirl.
Those of the daylight awaken with no fright.
Singing their praises to the safety of light.

My Love

As I gaze into his liquid gold eyes,
Poetry radiates from his warm soul.
His lips brush mine and I soar through the skies.
Passion seizes me; I lose my control.

An amalgam of thoughts pierce through my mind.
There is love, trust, yet I feel petrified.
I know destiny; out fate's intertwined.
But what if he's a dream, one I'm denied?

A thousand years I could spend with those suns.
Amid his presence I've conquered all realms.
I've witnessed beauty that forever stuns.
And have basked beneath his forest of elms.

Then and there, I grasp truth with clarity.
He's in my arms; there's no obscurity.

The Stars

Gleaming stars hover above
While I think of you, the one I love.
Each new memory we do make
Reveals a star that I will take.
Each bright smile you do make
Reveals another star that I will take.
Each new chapter we make
Reveals more stars that I will take.

Put them in my special place,
With all the stars of your sweet grace.
With each star lifted away,
Soon brings dawn to new day.
Loving you makes stars new,
In the sky just for you.

Day dreams on, till this night.
Where I wait for time, to be just right.
Gleaming stars hover above
While I think of you, the one I love.
Memories of smiles that run for miles
Writing the chapters with our laughter.

All to place a star you did make...
Just for the star I will take.

The Past

The past is the past for a reason
That is where it is supposed to stay.
But some cannot let it go
In their head it eats away.

Until all their focus becomes
The person that they used to be
The mistakes they made in their life...
Oh, if only they could see.

You cannot change what happened.
No matter how hard you try
No matter how much you think about it
No matter how much you cry.

What happens in your lifetime
Happens for reasons unknown
So you have to let the cards unfold
Let your story be shown.

Don't get wrapped in the negative.
Be happy with what you've been given.
Live for today, not tomorrow.
Get up, get out, and start living.

Cause the past is the past for a reason
It's been and now it's gone.
So stop trying to think of ways to fix it.
It's done, it's unchanged, move on.

Sky

Have you seen the sunset and sunrise?
And the horizon; that's a prize.
How the colors mix and melt
And look as soft as felt.
How they float away into black
And you wish they'd come back.
And that feeling that makes you sad
How the tears come and just make you mad.

But then you see the stars
That are so small they fit in jars.
How they shine so bright
And don't put up a fight.
So you stand watching them twinkle and shine
Then you realize you feel fine.
So you sigh
And say goodbye.

Happiness

Happiness lies in good health
Not in accumulation of wealth.
Happiness lies in caring for others
Like dear friends, sisters, and brothers.
Happiness lies in sharing
Not holding back smiles, being uncaring.

Happiness is the state of mind
Nowhere else you can find
Enjoy the moment, live the life.
Settle the score and end the strife.
Happiness is the journey, not destination.
Happiness is doing what is your fascination.
Happiness is doing what you like
With no fears of harm, or a hand that would strike.

Happiness will come near
When you venture without fear.
Render smiles to those where frowns have undone.
Live your life to the fullest; it has only just begun.

A Smile

If at times you feel you want to cry,
And life seems such a trial...
Above the clouds there's a bright blue sky.
So make your tears a smile.

As you travel on life's way,
With it's many ups and downs
Remember it's quite true to say
One smile is worth a dozen frowns.

Among the world's expensive things
A smile is very cheap.
And when you give a smile away,
You get one back to keep.

Happiness comes at times to all
But sadness comes unbidden.
And sometimes a few tears much fall
Amongst the laughter hidden.

So when friends have sadness on their face
And troubles 'round them pile,
The world will seem a better place.
And all because you smiled.

Hope

We were put on this planet
To live and to love.
To cherish the ones in our lives.
And never let them get hurt...

Safety is a priority
But danger is an outcome.
Why is it that we work so very hard?
For something that will still happen
In the end...

Should we care about our lives,
Or sit and let it waste away?
"It doesn't matter, we're all going to
Die someday!"

These words fill our heads
With sad confusion. There is no end.
We get lost with the love
We want to have.
There is no conclusion to all
This pain.
But an answer that comes
Just the same.

The negative side seems to win,
But the positive side seems to...
Glow.
We are who we choose to be,
So be careful who you choose.

Love every day like there is no
Tomorrow...
And give to others the joy of life
So no one will hurt.
Love, and love will love you back.
Open your arms to life
And life will hug you back.
Don't be scared.
Life is a one-time thing.

Ironhouse Ale

Gimme a flagon, a barrel, a wagon,
Oh gimme a flask or a pot or a pail,
Keep on pourin' til' I be snorin'
And drink some of that fine Ironhouse Ale!

We march by day, we drink by night
Through sun and snow and gale,
So have a round, a pint of glass
And give us a drink of that Ironhouse Ale!

If there be a table, as broad as is able,
Then set down a stump, a chair or a pail
For while we war for king and hold
We all love to drink that fine Ironhouse Ale!

So bring on the ale and beer without fail,
Oh barlass, our stories regale
Tomorrow we fight at dawn's first light
But tonight we all have the strong Ironhouse Ale!

Sleep

Why can't we sleep forever
And live inside our dreams
Sheltered from the heartbreak
That life can sometimes bring.

You could live in a world
Bordered only by your mind.
And never have to worry
About running out of time.

You could live out all your dreams
A life of love and laughter
Your every desire is fulfilled
You'd live happily ever after.

You could take the stars
From the heavens up above.
Then gift them to the one
That shares your feelings of love.

You could gather every rose
For only their eyes to see.
You would never have to question
Will this love forever be.

Phoenix

She dances upon the field,
With her poor battered rose;
A memory, of a crone so old.

She remembers feeling that warmth,
Of the sun's final rays,
Of her flowing crimson dress,
Of the time she was but a maiden.

She snaps herself out of the memory,
Her pale, haggard lips part to form a smile.
Her life was wonderful then.
She puts on the dress, to rekindle the flame,
To once again, be a phoenix, a phoenix reborn!

As she shines so bright,
On the warm summer's night
She flaps her wings, taking off into the air,
To fly away somewhere new, where life may be fair.

Destiny

I walk the face of earth once more,
A mindless puppet, my strings are torn.
The creaky bones, the bad eyesight,
Yet the chance to turn wrong to right.

Wars-a-waging, old man's guilt,
The world's now on more than a tilt.
Parents weeping, children slain,
Bloody thoughts, Fear will reign.

I look in the shadows, a creature did lurk.
He whispered to me, hiding a smirk.
"Thou shalt be killed if thee can't find,
The demon lurking in thou mind."

So off I ventured, to quench my thirst
Of corpses piled with hearts-a-burst.
And on that quest what did I see?

The Wicked Path of Destiny.

The Fireside Song of Old Adventurers

Swords once sharp now gather dust
Much oil and work fight creeping rust
Where once we had no time to care
Reaching for battle brave hands bare

Our lances shone back brighter sun
Our coffers groaned with treasure won
Proud names we held o’er many lands
Proud lords bowed to our commands

Then dragons raged and died fierce
As keener, sharper blades did pierce
Swung by bolder, stronger men
Wine and laughter both sweeter then

So long ago, in fading dreams
Sometimes fancy it all seems
But by this sword, ‘tis all true!
Laugh? This old blade will answer you!

And talk your talk not so loud
Foolish, blind, young and proud
Or I’ll rise yet, and we shall see
If you’ll ever live as long as me.

The Shining Crown

A wise old man to me did frown
Asking: where is thy shining crown?
I see its rightful place upon thy hair
Where right now rests but empty air

Chorus:
Over the next hill
Over the ridge
Through deep forests
Across lonely bridge

Far afield waits a shining crown
Gleaming riches, great renown
There but to reach and take
If ye’ll only stir and wake

(Chorus)

To horse! Mount and ride
With good shield and high pride
A little courage, a little luck
Grim slogging and pluck

(Chorus)

Better to have reached and lost
Hopes withered as by winter frost
To leap up again, high and far
Than to sit alone in a quiet bar

(Chorus)

So why not try? Strive and die
No disgrace the bards will cry
Ye just might win a shining crown
Bring the mighty crashing down

(Chorus)

It lies yonder, o’er far-off hill
It waits for those who boldly will
Come a-seeking with ready blade
A shining crown for heroes made.

The Lonely Hunt

Don’t look back
Just draw your blade
Down dark track
The kill is made

Don’t shout out yet
Just follow the cries
Time enow to laugh and bet
After the foe snarls and dies

Run and wave blade blood-wet
Down the trail of dancing bone
To the place where death is met
We all rush-and come there alone

Don’t, no don’t look back
There’s never time for that
Just add more meat to the sack
And grow old and wise and fat

Until the day the death is thine
And you face the gods alone
Few folk find enough time
To take their wanted throne

So raise now the sparkling wine
Drink it deep, while you can
Gods grant you smile at its shine
Remembering the hunt you ran

In a Dark, Dark Wood

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Something lurked and pounced and stank
As it prowled to and fro

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Under the hanging tree
A lost man one morn did go

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Dropped the beast fangs agape
Upon the poor lost one below

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Teeth clashed and teeth slashed
One more skull a grave to show

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Came a young wizard lass
Spells to cast, Art to grow

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Sorceress and something darker met
And o’er both fear settled low

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Fangs sought the maiden’s blood
She gasped out a spell none still know

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Crawled something dark and fanged
With a lady’s face and a smile just so

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
It hunted with claws and jaws
Or spoke spells fast and low

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
The old sorceress built a tower
Beside the way the road did go

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Those who found her castle empty
Missed her, lurking in bones below

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Those who found the lady home
All her charms and graces did know

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Those who stayed with her too long
Saw her shape slip, and knew their foe

In a dark, dark wood
Oh so long ago
Many a traveler lost his way
And cried out in fear and woe

In a dark; dark wood
Oh so long ago
Would he meet smile or fang?
Beforehand, none of us e’er know

Raise Another Glass of Cheer

Chorus:
The night draws on and sleep is near
I draw another glass of wet cheer

If I close my eyes I dream of you
And see again the high hall
The kneeling knights, my proud throne
The vaults of gold, the bowls of gems

(Chorus)

The banners proud, the armies vast
Chambers of riches too many to count
All this my own, under my proud feet
Until the day we chanced to meet

(Chorus)

I gave it all up, I threw it all away
To win your love, your smile, your hand
But you left me in cold disarray
To wander hard roads until today

(Chorus)

If I close my eyes I dream of you
And betimes, when I’ve been good
I dream you love me as I do you
Your smile lights the dark night into day

(Chorus)

And then I fear I always wake
And find myself alone
If you are lost, forever gone
I’ll sleep and know your love again

(Chorus twice, second time slow and grandly sad)

The Wizards’ Tune

Build a fire to harp at twilight
In a circle of old standing stones
Dance by the fire under watching moon
Call up the old and waiting bones

Draw a circle in a dusty old tomb
A circle of flame on cold grey stone
Talk to wizards dead and kings long gone
Lore to learn and spells to hone

Walk in shadows, in worlds so strange
The senses reel, the blood crawls
Hurl spells at twisted things of claws
Until the last one flees or falls

Raise a tower proud and high
Rule lands as hair goes gray
Write tomes of awesome might
Is it all worth it? Who can say?

Walk doddering into the last days
Weave the air into flowers or light
Try to remember more, fading spells
To make children laugh in delight

Hear them gasp, see them smile
Look into their dazzled eyes
Which will grow to wizardly might?
Smile, and never tell them it’s all lies.

The Bold Knight and the Terrible Wyrm

The dragon was old and its scales were gray
It snored and ached, and was heard to say,
Where’s my might, that now is gone?
What’s the point in carrying on?

The knight was young, his blade so bright
But at first dragonroar he shook in fright
And screamed, So large! I never knew!
Hide me, spare me! My challenge I rue!

The dragon yawned and said, Down blade!
Toss away daggers and sit in the shade.
Did you bring cold and foaming beer?
Haven’t had a good chat in many a year.

The knight’s mouth fell open, and down went
he
Gabbling, As it happens, I’ve a keg with me!
So the sun went down behind the hill
And if they’re not snoring, they’re talking still.
(Repeat)

Last Lament

My life goes on, down endless days
It’s been too long since I’ve seen your smile

And now darkness around me doth close
Far off I can hear you singing

Death comes for me, with thirsty swords
It’s been too long since I’ve seen your smile

No way out, doom comes to me
Far off I can hear you singing

If the gods would hear me, I’d cry out
It’s been too long since I’ve seen your smile

I never meant to fall by you unseen
Far off I can hear you singing

It comes swiftly now, sweeping me away
It’s been too long since I’ve seen your smile

Everything fades, and I am gone
Far off I can hear you singing

Mourn me not, my dear love, though
It’s been too long since I’ve seen your smile

Far off I can hear you singing
Sing high, sing clearand then listen, dear

You’ll be hearing me, long after I’m gone
In your dreams, my voice will live on.

(Softly)

Far off I can hear you singing
Through my tunes, my voice lives on

Old Skull's Warning



By night the east winds whisper
A compilation of voices alone
Forgotten as they have the notes
Of this ashen ballad's home

In the place where I call home
The summer rain slumbers, and I
Beneath the quilt of stars
Selune's blessed sky

But what beauty, old volcano
I muse, strangest landmass of all
Do you know of our future
Now until the heav'ns fall

This unbidden wonder seeps
Through my breath, a weary sigh
Is sacrifice enough to earn
From the Old Skull this reply

Pain and torment!
And showering of flame
A farming town torn apart
Walking corpses to blame

I tremble to behold these
Nightmare visions of the peak
Wake, I cry, dream no more
When this wise one begins to speak

Tears falling freely, death in the air
Our safety upheaved
It is an broken voice, of course
And one heavily bereaved

Having seen the future history of
So many sons and daughters gone
In one night of fire
Shadowdale burned until the dawn

I bade the Old Skull calm
There was no cause to mourn
In frustration it withdrew
For it's purpose was to warn

A destiny of emptiness awaits, they say
Those who step away and flee
The torn up lands, but stay
You are safer on your feet

Walk the land and breathe the air
Pick the fruit and take a wife
What awaits you in fear
Is not a happy life

They did not see, they could not
Through fear of death's hue
So let the Old Skull's words rest, they did
And unto Myth Drannor flew

All this the Old Skull speaks, clear
In the logic of a dream
And I ask the mountain, the Old Skull
Of it's revelation's scheme

Broken nature's cipher, made
Alike the waters and the tree
Its scattered children bask in health
Fortune and prosperity

But oh, these gifts were never free
And the loan is coming due
This future bought with promise
Has torn a certain few

Among Shadowdale's children stride
Jealous offspring near and far
Tempers hot, their purses greedy
Prepared to make a million scars

My wonder turns to trepidation
And then again to fear
Dare I posit why, Old Skull
Has explained this to me here

Unseated bedrock crumbles
But unmoved, I realize
Old Skull, this god, a brother, has
Seen through my human guise

Those few so dark, attain
A new copper-tied ideal
And steal the trees and grass
To bring the region to heel

Serving no gods, these people
By force and fiat reign
The heavens and the lands
In neither peace nor pity's name

Unleashed they are, unbound
By loyalty to sense
Saving nothing of grace nor
Love for interactions hence

The mountain meant to alarm
And to beg its children flee
From these butchers of the town
And their vicious destiny

In the place where we were born
The mountain slumbers, and I
Beneath our quilt of deep blue see
Selune's children's sky

I stir as dawn arrives to
Tease the edges of the world
Kiss the mountain with its light
And a cobalt canopy unfurl

The clouds behold the wonder
Of the moon and sun to gleam
Higher in the sky, it blinds
My eyes and halts my dream

Awake, I shiver 'gainst the chill
Of the early autumn morning
And wrap myself with blankets
To consider Old Skull's warning

For the children who would leave
The story tells that Old Skull wept
And with the dawning of a thought
Onto my feet I find I've leapt

I grit my teeth against the cold and
Behold the land and trees
And at once I know the truth
O, Old Skull warned of me