POEM FOR TOLKIEN
May 2003
He sang of leaves, of leaves of gold, and leaves of gold there grew,
And so the golden trees did shine into the morning dew.
He sang of wind and from the sea the breezes started blowing,
He sang of stars and in the sky the bright stars started glowing.
He sang of trees, of wind and stars, of glorious days of old,
And through his songs and through his words he made a perfect world.
So thou that think that in our world so many things are wrong,
Just lie thee down and close thy eyes and listen to his song.
Sunset in Ithilien
December 2005
Rays of bright fire caress this silent land
Where waterfalls are gleaming like curtains silver bright,
Once fair land of proud people that now no longer stand,
Now just an empty garden abandoned to the night.
A place of beauty in a fading world,
Deserted paradise beside the fires of hell,
Above its forlorn fountains the night stars glitter cold
While nightingales tales of great sorrows tell.
How many tears have fallen upon its flowers white,
How many stains of blood defiled its hallow land.
How many clouds of darkness have robbed it of all light,
How many evils passed there, that no man can withstand!
Caught between light and evil, grey and white-
On it both Man and Fell Beast with ardour hold their claim-
Its plains of green still keep the springtime’s sweet delight
Its waters clear still heal the weary rover’s pain.
Oh, brave land, I salute thee, Ithilien the Fair!
In dark times full of chaos still pure and sweet thou art.
Though fumes of death may once defile thy fragrant air,
Thy loveliness at sunset dwells ever in my heart.
Númenórean love poem
August 2005
Who made the grey seas of your eyes? Tell me!
Who put such deadly jewels within my sight?
Who placed such wondrous trap in thee
That gives me hope yet takes away my light?
What are the lights that glitter in your eyes?
They seem like stars that mirror in the sea
Or like a treasure that in the deep lies
Ensnaring mariners as foolhardy as me.
You are the one I most hate and adore
They say your home beneath the grey waves lies.
Is this the reason, heir of Númenor,
You drowned me in the grey seas of your eyes?
Who made the grey seas of your eyes? Please say!
To whom I owe my downfall and my glory?
Who brightened night and darkened day?
Who made up such a fair and bitter story?
I long for your captivity, I wish to make you mine,
Yet my soul for long gone freedom cries.
Oh, how I curse and praise that god divine
That made the grey seas of your eyes!
The reclaiming of Osgiliath
April 2006
“Mist and shadow, cloud and shade
All shall fade, all shall fade”
And forth they went, tall men with eyes of grey-
Their bright swords shining with cold and deadly light-
Bringing some bitter comfort to sad and sunless day,
Reckless and proud defenders against the greedy night.
“Go forth!” he said, grim lord of city white.
In his despair and madness what reason was to spare?
What pity to be given? What ray of hope? What light
For those who rode so bravely, warriors stern and fair?
And forth he went. From battle songs we learn
How words spoken in madness brought pain into his heart.
Another sacrifice, on war’s altar to burn,
While fell beats laughed and jeered and tore the day apart.
Come watch them ride, proud sons of city white,
Distant and fading memories of fallen Númenor,
Come hear their wrathful calls, come feel might,
For now their restless spirits still haunt this forlorn shore.
Copyright Simina Lungu 2022
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