One of the things I owe to Tolkien is inspiring in me a love of poetry. Before I read The Lord of the Rings, I had little interest in reading poetry, let alone writing it. It was the poems of Middle Earth that changed my mind…the way he used poems and songs to emphasize the emotional moments just made it “click” for me.
Early during my poetry exploration, I wrote this poem about Frodo in Mordor. It’s not really how I write poetry anymore, but it was definitely inspired by Tolkien. This seems like the right time to share it. 🙂
The Last Chapter
I wander through this valley of gloom Seeking the mountain of death Where has fled my strength, I wonder? Uttering life’s last breath
So close around is darkness It is all I understand The mist around me, in my eyes The stench of evil land
My greatest hope is victory A sunrise for my kin White daisies in the pastures And gentle summer wind
Nearer and closer have I come The slopes are at my feet Somewhere a tower looms in dusk Waiting for my defeat
If I can but reach that summit And set my people free Then I shall die, content and ready To face the silver sea
It’s that time of year again—the annual Tolkien Blog Party hosted by Rachel at The Edge of the Precipice blog! I checked and the last time I participated was in 2017. 😮 I’m super excited to join in again this year with some Tolkien-themed posts, starting with this questionaire:
1. What Tolkien character do you think you’re the most like? Probably Faramir. I can relate to his love of books and music but also having to do things in life he really doesn’t care for. I’m also very loyal, perhaps at times to a fault.
2. What Tolkien character do you wish you were more like? I would like to be more like Bilbo! He’s got his life sorted out…well, at least till Gandalf showed up. And then after his adventures he comes back rich and settles down reasonably well. If that isn’t life goals, I don’t know what is.
3. What would your dream home in Middle-earth be like? I would love to live in a tree house in Lothlorien as described in the books. It sounds so stress-free and peaceful! Also I don’t know why they made it blue and gloomy in the movie. It’s described in the book as all golden:
‘There lie the woods of Lothlórien!’ said Legolas. ‘That is the fairest of all the dwellings of my people. There are no trees like the trees of that land. For in the autumn their leaves fall not, but turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow flowers; and the floor of the wood is golden, and golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver, for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey. So still our songs in Mirkwood say.’
The Fellowship of the Ring
4. You get to make a movie of the story of Beren and Luthien! Who do you cast as the leads? I have to admit, I have yet to read the book, and I tend to picture them as Aragorn and Arwen. 😉 But I would love to see Mia Wasikowska in a Tolkien film, so maybe I would cast her as Luthien. Unsure about Beren…
5. Have you ever marathoned the LOTR or Hobbit movies? Not that I can remember, although that would be fun! I have watched them across several days though. 6. Do you have a favorite song or track from the movie soundtracks by Howard Shore? I love the soundtracks so, so much, and it’s hard to pick one! The ring theme, however, is probably my top favorite. It’s so gorgeous and heartbreaking and mysterious all at once.
7. Which of Tolkien’s characters would you like to be best friends with? I think Samwise is the obvious choice here!
8. Who of the people in your real life would you want in your company if you had to take the ring to Mordor? Oh boy. 😆 Well, I love my family but I sure don’t want them to get hurt, so I would have to leave them behind. Of my friends… I guess I’d choose whoever can stand eating lembas for months! (Bonus points if they can speak Elvish.) 9. Have you read any of Tolkien’s non-Middle-earth works? I read his Father Christmas letters years ago and found them delightful. I’ve also read his poem The Fall of Arthur which was really good! 10. Is there a book by Tolkien you haven’t read yet, but want to? Pretty much all the remaining Middle Earth books. So far, I’ve just read LOTR, The Hobbit, and The Children of Hurin. I have The Fall of Gondolin on my shelf, though, waiting to be read!
Classics Considered 