Chathol-linn · 29 August 2004 · Chapter 1: One
Hello! I have read and reviewed this poem before, so ErinRua knows how much I love it. The poem deserves many more reviews. What do I like? Well, for starters, I like the way ErinRua captures the feelings of a young woman who has just crossed the brink of womanhood and found the love of her life in the unlikely person of the Rohirric knight. How alone she feels when making this journey! ... "But now my seas are waves of grass, And winds bear rumor from afar Of snow upon the frowning peaks And rain on stern and silent hills. The very air is scented strange... "The vault of sky bears not a sound And 'midst that endless whisp'ring space I shrink within, a small, lost thing Cast far upon the winds of chance ... Alas my homeward shores are lost." Then comes the description of Eomer, and does she ever get it right, a total connection to the time and place where we imagine Lothiriel must live; and a perfect distillation of strength and eroticism: "Now hark! A step within the hall, And comes the master of this house. He paces like a tethered lion, This golden king, this warrior's son. Pale eyes burn with kindled flame And strength and power rest in his hand; Born to hauberk, sword and spear, He is the Mark; the Mark is him.... "But oh I see a light within, I feel a trembling in his touch. So soft his lips touch mine and then He smiles into my eyes and speaks; Sweet words that lift my heart awhirl..." And we realize that Lothiriel has as great or greater an impact on him. We see the reciprocity, the mutual nature of the love they share: "For though we come from lands apart, One borne of sea, the other sky, We twain are joined in matchless bonds And all he treasures, so shall I. I am his and he is mine; My king rests in my cradled arms, His golden head upon my breast, Whilst slumber doth caress his brow. Sleep, my king, my matchless love, And rest 'til duty calls thee forth, For I shall guard thy gentle rest As thou hast guarded e're my heart." Great lines. It makes me want to fall in love. Whoof. This is without a doubt the best lyrical love poem I've ever read. Regards - Chathol-linn