Darya's Triolet

Darya, Darya, where do you go
with your rucksack and downcoat and laughter?
All who adore you are dying to know,
Darya, Darya, where do you go;
will Russia and Canada, covered in snow,
remember your footsteps hereafter?
Darya? Darya, that's where you go
with your rucksack and downcoat and laughter!

Passion

I stand before a bonfire burning bright;

I saw it, from afar, atop the hill.

It led my weary footsteps through the night

And now it drives away the deathly chill.

This fire's not where I was meant to stay;

My road lies over yonder in the gloom.

And yet I stand, entranced by dancing flame

And music, laughter, smiles, and sweet perfume.

Beyond the blaze, a memory I've cached;

Another life, another time and place.

How easily it all would turn to ash... in

Seductive self-destruction's warm embrace.

It's colder, now I've turned and walked away.

But through the dark... I see the breaking day.

Ode to Beef Rendang

Ode to Beef Rendang

Oh fiery heat that lingers on my lips
And lights up all the tastebuds on my tongue
Those lesser flavours find themselves eclipsed
When with your splendid spice they are among

You simmered, slowly stewing in your pot
For hours, spices soaking into meat
Galangal, garlic, chilli, and shallot
Intensifying, grown-man-crying heat

Yet though I sweat and wipe my teary eyes
That cry over this dish from Asia's South
I realise your fiery guise belies
The tender texture melting in my mouth

The plate is clear, the final morsel gone
But in my mem'ry, Rendang lingers on.

Sonnet for Lei'ella

This I only just wrote. I decided to try my hand at a more serious sonnet, that stands on its own a bit better than the Ballad of Berard. My concern is that, as a serious attempt, it falls into melodrama. I think you have to be a lot cleverer than I am to avoid that trap. Ah well.

---


A quiet pall descends upon the page
As Varden holds Lei'ella centre-stage


---


Sonnet for Lei'ella

I watch your sanguine lips with shining eyes
And in my mind caresses trace their shape
But soft perfection cruelly belies
That through those parted lips your breath escapes

Your calluses are cool against my palm;
The hand that held the dagger now holds mine
I softly stroke your skin with outward calm
As finally our fingers intertwine

And though I hold you close with all my might -
Our bodies breast to breast and cheek to cheek
Our hearts together just for this one night -
I choke and cannot find the words to speak

Your breathing stills, your hand falls to the floor
And I can't feel your heartbeat anymore.

Ballad of Berard

This is a parody that you probably wouldn't get without reading Inverloch.

The following is all in iambic tetrametre. Not a proper ballad, but I didn't know that when I started.
Indent = leading non-stressed syllable omitted; ~ = extended syllable; - = two syllables in the space of one.

---

I offer some frivolity,
Hilarity: commence!
At my ingenuity
... Or at my expense!


---

Ballad of Berard

Once a mighty warrior,
Such strength and grace ne'er seen before
Quick of wit and learn'd of lore
And nonpareil a paramour

They say he came from Aydensfell
Where blood of Man once mixed with Elf
And now the sorcerous mages dwell
But Berard bid it all farewell

Berard! Berard! Lift your blade!
Crush your foe and take yon maid
Your brilliance warms us like the day
Your shadow leaves us in the shade!

He roamed the land on faithful steed
But no white prancing horse had he
Yet all who saw him were agreed
His ass was very fine indeed

His clothes conferred unfettered ease
His tartan kilt above the knee
When questioned did he mind the breeze:
"I like to leave my weapon free."

Our hero came to Stra~thwood
And fought for all 'twas right and good
But-a maiden veiled by cloak and hood
Did fill his thoughts as naught else could

Berard! Berard! Lift your blade!
Crush your foe and take yon maid
Your brilliance warms us like the day
Your shadow leaves us in the shade!

He courted her with gifts sublime
Swore "One day, Lei, I'll make you mine!"
But cruelly she his suit declined
Heartbroken, Berard turned to crime

Until he found her once again
With-another man, and so, insane
They fought clouded by loss and pain
And thus was mighty Berard slain

Berard! Berard! Rest your blade!
Rest e'ermore in wooded glade
Your brilliance warmed us like the day
Your memory leaves us in the shade!

Once a mighty warrior,
Such strength and grace ne'er seen before
Quick of wit and learn'd of lore
And nonpareil a paramour