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.
Lady Forest
Kissed by the sun, embraced by the morning, The Forest sheds her cloak of Night. She slips into a gown of mist, She wove herself, by Morning light.
In Amber rays, the Forest dances, In hidden glens within the hills. Barefoot, she glides through open meadows, Tip-toes her way past silver rills.
Her gown of mist trails behind her, Fluttering in the morning wind, Adorned with gems and sparkling jewels. The rising sun did surely send.
Through fire and water falling. Burning, Freezing. Holding on and letting go for life. No quarter asked, No quarter given, Shadow and flame against pure light clash. Into the abyss they fall headlong, Rending, Slashing. Sword and talon take equal toll. Still waters shaken, Fires quenching, The stone foundations jarring courage. Up endless stairs the Shadow flees. Hunting, Chasing, To the final clash on the mountain peak. Shattered, broken, Thrown down in defeat. Pure spirit released to live anew. Through fire and water rising, Transcending, Evolving. Returned back at the turn of the tide. The storm rages. Hope is renewed. Though only in the will of the fool.
~~ * ~~
Till Our Next Meeting
by: Bassam K.
My Dear Friend, Valleys and Mountains, forests and rivers, You conquered them all, shook them off like shivers. I always knew you were made of mithril, I always knew you were capable of more, Greatness cannot be hidden under a hill, It needed a little nudge out of the door. For that, I am not sorry. You were more than a means to an end. I believed in you. You were special.
My Dear Friend, There were times when I wasn’t anywhere near, Times when I left you stranded surrounded by fear. It wasn’t ideal when I put the world on your shoulders, Charged with a group of stubborn strangers, I hadn’t thought about when you would be older, In the hands of time with the scars from danger. For that, I am sorry. You were more than a piece of the puzzle. I needed you. You were special.
My Dear Friend, The journey there was hurried and full of peril, You cut evil webs and were the rider of barrels. We lost some folk but you earned your stripes, You showed courage now and then, I enjoyed this night when we puffed our pipes, Just as our journey back again. With that, I am proud of you. You are more than just a Hobbit. I love you. You are special. Till our next meeting.
~~ * ~~
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.
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.
The forming mist
by D. McGlinchey
I saw it forming in the mist. Like veiled curtains unravelling No more the dread of the unseen hand Nor the burdening weight of a growing fear. For there it was now, as clear as day. A day where the colours had been drained away.
I saw the eyes of a former man. Like glowing ice with an inner fire. The forming mist his shroud like clothing. Tightening, flowing, drawing in. His ghostly face in the mist appearing. Staring wide eyed, teeth clenched, leering.
All this I saw in the forming mist. Lost and alone with my mind transfixed. Danger now has come to life. Out here in the wilds on a wind swept night. Friends around, yet no one near. The forming mist giving life to fear.
Oh why, oh why did I accept this quest? This terrible burden to undertake? Abandoned now to this cruel dark fate, The forming mist is moving in. Surrounded now I begin to cry As it hisses slowly ‘Time to die!’
Out of nowhere burns a searing flame. Purifying the air as it sweeps and cleans. And the forming mist breaks and fades, Driven apart to drift slowly away. Friends they have rallied in the wilds on this night. With new courage, fears facing, the grim spectre takes flight.
But alas I am wounded, pierced deep to my soul. As a blade from the mist has been found. A serpent striking with its dying breath, Its poison now igniting my veins. I think of the precious clenched tight in my fist. As my spirit turns slowly to the forming mist.
Calling all creative fans of Middle-earth! Our good friends at Oscha Slings, purveyors of items of great beauty, are holding a contest!
This is your chance to create a unique Lord of the Rings or Hobbit themed design to be woven into a scarf, shawl, baby sling or throw. Whatever realm of Middle-earth inspires you, now is your chance! The only limitation is that it must be book inspired rather than movie inspired. You have a month to create your design; then submit it via the google form below, by midnight BST on 26th July 2020.
To view the existing range and get inspiration visit Oscha Slings. Oscha are looking for a new pattern that they haven’t done before, and something that is clearly iconic of Middle-earth. They welcome entries that have a strong illustrative style, beautiful line work, and creativity! You’ll find more guidance about what makes a good design in the Terms and Conditions at the google form.
Be sure to read the guidelines and Terms and Conditions carefully on the form before submitting your entry! Click here to enter.
The folks at Oscha say they can’t wait to see what you come up with; and we look forward to seeing it, too! Get those pencils out and get doodling!
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.
The lonely shepherd
by David McGlinchey
I watch the sunrise. I have watched it from the First Age. And you, you were there at my side and would always sing at it’s rising. But the days dawning is silent now.
You are gone.
I would wander out amongst the growing woods and trees. Coaxing them, Befriending them, Teaching them to talk.
We were as one.
You, my love, would show them the beauty of the fruit and the flower. Sharing your gift with your sisters in bringing colour and joy to this new world. Bringing an order to the hills and vales.
Divided now by brown earth and stone.
Fimbrethil. We were the guardians. Charged with protecting the forests and trees. Faithfully we have tended to their needs Though none, there seemed, stood by us. Driven away you were with the rising of the Darkness.
I am alone
Still. Your name alone brings me comfort. We are fated to meet ere the setting of the last sun. I know this will be I will wait. Until that day though.
I am alone.
~~ * ~~
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.
Thanks to Ringer GJC15344 we have a look at what if Lego had gotten around to making a Minas Tirith set. Over a short period of time we got several very cool Middle-earth themed sets from Lego. Unfortunately we never got Minas Tirith. However, I know after seeing these maybe, just maybe, if we can get enough emails sent to them we could get this. This set looks like it would be incredible. I for sure would love to own it.
If you’re ready for another race, welcome to “Racing to Rivendell” where we are following Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Arwen/Glorfindel, and Asfaloth (the horse who carried Frodo) as they race to outrun the Black Riders from Weathertop to Rivendell.
(If you weren’t able to join us last week, you can still earn your Shire Sprint bib and certificate. Just check out the post from May 1 for instructions.)
This virtual 5k race (3.1 miles) can be run or walked at home or any location you choose (please follow your town’s current rules). You can run, jog, walk, use a treadmill, climb your stairs, or us an elliptical – whatever is most convenient and safe for you. 30 minutes of exercise can also count as 1 mile. Run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself – our 5k’s are on the honor system.
Before you start each race, download a RACE BIB here or from TORn’s “The World and Works of J.R.R. Tolkien” Facebook page. Write your name, nickname, or race time in the white box, then you can stop by our Facebook page and post a photo wearing your bib, or post in the comments below.
Once you have completed each race, let us know! Download your finisher certificate and share another photo.
HERE ARE THE FINISHER CERTIFICATES:
Click on this link if you want to download a .pdf. Or the .jpg is below. They are also available for download on our “World and Works of J.R.R. Tolkien” Facebook group.
If you complete all four races, an additional special certificate can be yours! If you’re so inclined, reading the section in “The Fellowship of the Ring” that corresponds to this race might add a bit of color to your journey. Above all else, have fun. On your mark, get set, go!
There will be a total of four 5k races in all. Check back on Friday for a new race.
Bibs and certificates designed by TORN staff member Mithril, aka Nancy Steinman.
