OwlsNestBard

Name:
Location: Shire of Trisel, Trimaris

I am in my late forties, a proud husband, father, and a bard. I am a book pedlar by trade and a bookman by vocation. I am a romantic, a realist, and a Believer. I like a good joke, and a bad one even better. I admire all ladies for the innate beauty that is in each one, but my heart is sworn to the fair and gentle Lady Lorelei, who has consented to share my life and my name.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Kingdom Call (Meridian Grand Tourney)

To the corners of the Kingdom
May my voice be carried high,
To all who claim nobility
Upon our Royal throne.
The demands of Honor summon you
To gather, armed and ready,
To perform upon your bodies
All that Honor may require.
Seek Honor’s satisfaction
On a field of martial prowess;
Mighty deeds of valor
Done with axe and sword and spear.
Let all the Heavens witness
The pride of fair Meridies
Assembled, bringing glory
Through the roar and clash of arms.
The Stallion and the Shooting Star,
The Southern Cross Saltire;
The banners of our Kingdom
Wave defiant in the breeze.
Sword shall ring on shield this day.
Heroes shall make good their boasts,
Ere the setting of the sun
Returns this field to peace.
Then Honor shall have its rewards;
Royal favor granted then;
Feast and revel’s pleasure
For the ladies of the court.
Heroes all shall take their ease,
Spirits moved to melody.
The music of the bards
Shall echo off the distant stars.
Let the years go rolling back.
Shed the centuries like rain.
Renew our oaths of brotherhood
Before the Royal throne.
Let all our knights and nobles,
All our courtiers and ladies,
Refugees from mundane living
Answer to the Kingdom call.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Kiss Me Lady

Kiss me Lady, and be my Lady,
And I will be your Love.
Let me be the troubadour
That you’ve been dreaming of.
Take the hand I offer you
And stand here by my side,
And I will make my solemn vow
And take you for my bride.

I have heard the whispered longings
Hidden in your sighs.
And I can see the invitation
Dancing in your eyes.

I am no great armored knight
To ride in constant war.
I’m but a humble minstrel
With my songs, and verse, and lore.
But I too have a good steel sword
To keep your soul from harm.
And I’m as noble as any knight
When you are on my arm.

Walk with me through meadows green,
By waters fresh and clear.
Be for me the pleasant
Company I hold most dear.

See before us the road awaits
That leads to who knows where.
But where ever this road may lead
I know I want you there.
The journey’s a grand adventure,
But how dreary it would be
If I should have to walk that road
With out your company.

The journey’s our destination,
Let us walk it hand in hand.
Find that far horizon with
My lover and my friend.

So kiss me Lady and be my Lady
And I will be your Love.
Let me be the troubadour
That you’ve been dreaming of.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Your Royal Highness

Were I to offer fitting words for thee,
Royal Princess of Meridies,
I would dispense with flourishing displays
Designed to flatter Royal vanity.

Instead, I’d seek to picture what I see:
Grace, and beauty, yes, in all your ways,
But guided by a heart which never strays
From seeking how the good, may better be.

Giving praise where due is never hard.
Your worthiness is shown in all you do;
How generosity within you lives.
It pleases then, this humble country bard
To offer verses for the lady who
Shows her nobility in how she gives.

Friday, July 13, 2007

A Word Picture

We practice blade work underneath the skies,
Breathing sultry, almost liquid air.
And I draw inspiration from your eyes,
Watching from the side lines over there.
I don my mask and gear, pick up my sword,
Preparing as I would for any match,
Imagining myself, a noble lord,
Desiring his Lady’s eye to catch.
Tonight I’m not my solitary self.
I draw steel to impress my Lady Fair.
The pleasure of your smile my greatest wealth.
I raise my blade to you in fair salute,
A token of your favor in my breast.
Then face to my opponent, resolute
Come what may, to offer you my best.
My foe, a youth not half my age, and I
Circle round each other, holding back,
Tentatively probing on the sly,
Seeking an advantage for attack.
Then, thrust and parry! Disengage and strike!
Our blades, like spring-steel snakes writhe in our hands,
Approximating killing strokes belike
A brawl that ends when only one man stands.
We score our touches, balanced evenly,
Youthful speed against experience,
Until we’re both exhausted, him and me.
Shake hands and thank each other for the dance.
Retiring to the side, you meet me there,
A tankard of cool water in your hands.
I drink deep of your gift, push back my hair,
Hang my weapons back upon their stand.
Still winded from my bout, I take my place
Along the side to watch the next pair fight.
But still I look upon your lovely face.
Having you beside me feels so right.
My sword is strong and straight. My thrust is true.
All the more because I fight for you.

Friday, July 06, 2007

The Bardic Light

The circle is formed, the fire is lit.
From across the kingdom we’re gathered tonight.
Joined by our love of words we are knit
Together to share in the bardic light.

Tourney and battle, revel and feast,
The ages melt away before our sight.
Now round the fire, all spirits released
To dance with joy in the bardic light.

United by music, story and rhyme,
Verses composed for the Muses’ delight,
And the pleasure of souls born out of time,
Living the dream in the bardic light.

Let the Muses inspire and flavor our song.
Let our voices resound through the hours of the night.
We invite all who hear to sing along,
And join with us in the bardic light.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Love Song

Speak to me your true name.
Reveal to me your heart.
Tear away the barrier
That’s keeping us apart.
Let nothing stand between us,
Our union to deny.
Let there be a melding
Of our spirits, you and I.

What lies beneath your surface,
The dark depths of a stream,
A haunting sweet enigma
Wrapped within a dream.
Intrigued, I wander closer,
Your mysteries to explore.
Each hard-won fragment that I gain
Just makes me want you more.


We who have known the wounding
Of loyalty betrayed
Seek to find our healing
Within each other’s shade.
But fear defeats our purpose,
Keeping who we are concealed.
Our hope lies in the giving,
Our secret selves revealed.

I’m wandering in the wilderness,
Stumbling in the dark.
Are you as lost as I am,
Waiting for the spark ;
The touch of recognition
Within each other’s eyes,
A kindred soul with which to share
A love that never dies?

Reach to me across the miles.
Part for me the veil.
Let there grow between us
A hope that cannot fail.
Try me and see for yourself
Whether I am true.
Trust me to be faithful,
And I’ll keep faith with you.