AragornReading_RevWelcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.

So come and join us by the hearth and enjoy!

If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net
One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.

 

THE SMALLEST HANDS

by Dreamflower

We hearken to the harp and hear
of deeds of Elves and Men;
of Silmarils, Thangorodrim,
and fallen Gondolin;

of Beren and of Lúthien;
of Eärendil the Star;
of Húrin who was sadly cursed,
and Túrin Túrambar

We sing of fallen Númenor,
and faithful Elendil,
who of his folk a remnant saved,
to do the Valar’s will.

We tell of mighty Gil-galad,
who led against the foe
an army vast of Elves and Men
to lay the Shadow low.

And by such things our hearts are stirred,
to know these tales of yore;
the dire deeds done and victories won
by those who went before.

So we see then in our mind’s eye
these heroes brave and tall
with faces fell and mighty arms
who answered to the call.

In such a way we measure them
whose deeds we may admire,
by strength of hand and height from ground,
to such we may aspire.

There is a land so fair and green
far to the north and west,
where dwell a folk but half Men’s height,
in peace and plenty blest.

They plow the ground, they till the earth,
a simple folk, we find,
who laugh and weep and live and love;
with open hearts and kind.

Yet even there did Evil reach
far to the west and north.
Against the Shadow’s fearsome clutch
were four who ventured forth.

Although in height but half as high
full twice as large their hearts.
When darkness threatened all they loved,
they sought to do their parts.

Into a world grown grim and cold,
where perils oft await,
they wandered in their innocence
toward an uncertain fate.

And two there were, who carried off
by fell and fearsome foes,
yet by their wits and strength of will
they both struck mighty blows.

And two there were who went alone
into the Shadow’s lair;
where nothing good may there be found,
and all is bleak despair.

Betrayed and beaten, whipped and cursed,
they managed to endure.
they struggled on through pain and thirst,
where only death was sure,

and into malice Mercy cast,
and Love and Grace prevailed.
So Power and Pride did tremble then,
And thus the Darkness failed.

Perhaps it was to humble us
when Chance or Purpose called–
and into smallest hands did give
the greatest deed of all.

~~*~~

Untitled

by Lisse Mirelien

I linger here in Lórien for one last fading day.
The mellyrn’s glowing leaves have dropped in one last golden spray
And now the Golden Wood beloved with shadows dark is filled;
The Nimrodel, the laughing stream, has now its laughter stilled.
Against the sky the songbirds wheel and cry their joyous cries,
But in my heart I hear the seabird’s call, the ocean’s sighs.
Namárië to Middle Earth! I bid thee fond farewell–
My eyes are turned to Valinor, beyond the grey sea swell.
O Valinor! No more I’ll stay upon this Hither Shore,
No more a fading crown I’ll weave of golden elanor.
Where once I dwelt in peace and joy, there I will dwell again,
Forsaking Middle Earth–for now will reign the Kings of Men.
Of snow-white ships at last I’ve sung; a ship has come for me;
A ship to bear me safely home across the Sundering Sea.

~~*~~