Welcome 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.

Never laugh at a live Dragon!
(or Bilbo’s Song)

By D.McGlinchey

“It’s a chance for some adventure” said he.
“A chance to leave the Shire”.
Like the the Tooks of old, I could go forth bold
And throw my doilies on the fire!
Well I’ve always dreamed of adventure.
Of meeting Big Folk, Dwarf and Elf
Until one day I was on my way, leaving handkerchiefs on the shelf!

Out from the Hill, down over the bridge
With my rucksack on my back.
Adventure awaits through your garden gates
Just keep your feet upon the track.

“A Burglar Hobbit!” told he to them.
“He will get you what you need”
Then with an outraged hand I joined their band,
And signed the contract deed.
Well now off to the Misty Mountains far
Great treasures for to seek
Through Goblin, Troll and Spider lairs
That would make your knees grow weak.

Out from the Hill down over the bridge
With my rucksack on my back.
Adventure awaits through your garden gates
Just keep your feet upon the track.

“Interrupters of feasts!” he cried out loud
“Lead them from my hall”
Though he could not see an invisible me
Nor my shadow upon his wall.
Well down I went passed the sentry gate.
My colleagues for to find.
Now pack them down in barrels dark
That used to hold fine wine.

Out from the Hill down over the bridge
With my rucksack on my back.
Adventure awaits through your garden gates
Just keep your feet upon the track.

“Go in” said he “and don’t come back!”
“‘Til you find what I desire!”
But see could I with the naked eye
From the glow of Dragon fire.
Well thought I, with a heavy sigh, time to face the foe.
And find this shiny, glowing thing
From the caverns down below

Out from the Hill down over the bridge
With my rucksack on my back.
Adventure awaits through your garden gates
Just keep your feet upon the track.

“Thief in the shadows!” hissed he to I “Have you come back here for more?”
Wary was I for I’d seen his fierce eye.
Trying to see me as I crept from the door.
Well chatted did we and riddles spoke I, though thought my mind ‘He KNOWS!’
So with with a laugh I ran just as fast as I can.
But his flame burned my back and toes!

Out from the Hill down over the bridge
With my rucksack on my back.
Adventure awaits through your garden gates
Just keep your feet upon the track.

So listen well say I to you if rare adventure you do seek,
From the depths of caverns dim and dark,
To the heights of a mountains peak!
Wizards and Dwarves and Elven Kings may give you jewels and gold
But laugh in the face of a fierce Dragon Lord
and you’ll never get to be old!

Over the bridge and up to the Hill.
With my treasure on my back.
Adventure found, now I’m homeward bound
With my feet upon the track

~~ * ~~

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.