dwarf poetry

[VolcanosD]

*zafar wanders into the tavern and recites a poem he heard as a child*


The Ancestors Rest Lightly

Lightly doeth the dead sleep
Still linked by silver cords
To those they loved,
The living.
I can feel them gather round,
Just beyond the veil and
In candle flames their smiles appear
As their whispers from the shadows
Tickle my mind.
“Do you remember this?” they ask.
And I do.
And I do in love and reverence
Tell their stories to the young
Whom never knew them
For their souls were gone before their birth.
I call them to my mind
Holding them in my heart
For when it comes my time to pass on
They will joyously be waiting
To fold me in their love again.

In the last days of Lokakuu
The dead rest lightly.

Strommni Skull Krusher Ragnison
Lokakuu 2007

[Riven]

*A dour dwarf, beard-deep in pints of mead, raises his head and tries to fix bleary-eyes upon Zafar. His brows furrow at the poem, and his eyes cloud even more, trying to understand.*

"That be dwarven poem?" He muttered.

*He shakes his head, as if trying to rid it of an annoying gnat, obviously not understanding the words or poetry. Standing, he finishes an ale, gives a loud burp and speaks loudly*

"Here be a right good dwarven riddle for ye all!"

"Beaten upon, in great din of battle,
I try to withstand the blows that rain upon my master.
I go ahead of him, and meet the sharp-edged steel with my strong chest.
Woe upon my master, if some keen axe cleaves me asunder!"

[VolcanosD]

*zafar laughs while slapping A dour dwarf on the back of his head playfully. he laughs as the dwarf's beard steeped in mead bobbles like a buoy*

ya dat be a poem. me friend told me. ya seem to got a better one? but dat was simple. simple i tell ya. even ze elf maiden could guez da'one. ha,

*pointing to the other people in the tavern*

well ya got one. how about ya or ya? lets all share in a bit of the grog.

* if possible, zafar tries to inspire the dwarf and others to join him in a simple song *

//he sings a common song that all would know//

[Angelic]

Lyn, not entirely sure whether Strommni wanted his songs sung amongst non-dwarves, thinks it best to remember his origins, just in case those hearing his ode are tempted to scribe said poem in future and find themselves in accidental & unwilling strife. Lyn, raised amongst the dark elves (who settle their legal disputes across drawn blades) and is therefore not terribly au fait with such matters, thinks it better safe then sorry and to give Strommni due recognition.

[VolcanosD]

*zafar spouts more verse*

ting ting ting
ring ring ring
goes my ears
from the long years
of under dwelling
for mineral selling

ting ting ting
ring ring ring
goes my ears
i yearn for seers
'show me ze way'
'show me ze way'

with my soul
ill pay, show me the way

and did a light come
from the sun

from family - removed
no longer de dwarvian son

oi vonder now the world
of bright and quiet.

*zafar sips his mead*

[Riven]

*A human in travel-stained leathers and a faded green cloak stands and nods to all in the tavern, a sly grin playing upon his humble face. He runs his hands through a rat's nest of spikey reddish hair, and clears his throat. *

"A riddle from my pa then, Oldo Egilsson."

*He glances about self-consciously, then tunes the hoarse harp of his voice, and chants the riddle.*

"A shining ship came wandering over wave,
Glorious in sight, deadly bane in the night.
Loudly resounding, it's laughter was grisly.
Huge and magnificent, it's edges were sharp.
Slow to give battle, then cruel in the strife.
It broke through shield walls,
And crushed our ship's timbers.
Pitiless, deadly, wrecker of fools"