Rathflaed DuNoir: Poetry
The Mountain of
Red
By Rathflaed DuNoir
The Black Bard of Meridies
mka: Stephen R. Melvin
Come listen little ones, come listen well and true,
To a story deep and strong that means much to me and you,
There is a place that calls the soul from anywhere on earth,
A lodestone that calls you back to the land of your birth.
Picture now, the hills of green, a sky of deepest blue,
The rich, dark earth, the fleecy clouds and forests through
and through.
And jutting in the center, like a tooth of Dragoun's Weal,
A mountain dark and red, A mountain made of steel!
The heart of fine Meridies, no border guard is she,
Her job's to keep the peace, twixt the other baronies.
"And how", you ask, "is this done so, do they
keep from war so fell?"
Is it the mountain's steel?" I answer "No, their
hearts have steel as well."
"But they are not cold", you answer me,
"their chiv'ry reaches wide."
"Tis true", I say, "Such grace as theirs is
rooted deep inside."
For if you are hungry or cold, or you travel far and roam.
Well, come to Iron Mountain, and you'll find a second home.
But come to my birthplace with open hand and not with
greedy eye,
Come to us with an open heart, do not steal or lie,
for if you try to take what's ours, why then your blood will
fountain,
Run far, run fast for you will face, The Guard of Iron
Mountain!
12-7-96
ODE TO JENNY
Dear Jenny, my flute,
I must say, the flute you suits,
So high, so sweet and light,
I just knew I guessed right.
I found what I was looking for,
The moment you first I saw,
Tis true you're there until the end,
One of my staunchest and truest friends.
So I give you now what you've had all along,
In words, in dance and even in song,
Jenny, my dear, I promise to thee,
I'm always here when you need me.