Posted in Posted by Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe here!  I know it's been ages since I posted something on here, so I thought I'd start with a poem I wrote a few months ago.  It's called When Shadow Fled and is heavily inspired by Tolkien's The Silmarillion, for those of you who are familiar with his works.  (And I'm sure most of you are!)  I entered it in a poetry contest at my local library, and learned a few days ago that it made the finals!  How about that?

Anyway, enjoy!

- Edgar Allan Poe

~ ~ ~

Long ago, when Earth was young,
And Death was but a name,
A fair folk dwelt beneath the stars
Their raiment silver-gray.
Withheld were they from mortal woes,
Their hearts were glad and free;
Until the day that Shadow came
Ensnaring every tree.
Its icy grip---so cruel and cold---
Laid siege to every heart,
'Til fair from fell, and fell from fair
Not one could tell apart.
Then days grew dark, and ‘neath the stars
Strife ran thick as blood.
Where now abode the Light of old
To quench this evil flood?
Yet e’en as Shadow preened and claimed
Its aim of darkness won,
Hope remained in hearts unbowed;
The light was yet to dawn!
For out of the east, a faint glow emerged
Piercing Night’s thick veil–
Soft fingers of light grew steadily bright
While Shadow’s forces quailed.
With bated breath the faithful watched
As evil’s bane drew nigh
Until, at last, the burning sphere
Rose to fill the sky!
Shadow’s ranks were seized with fear
And fled the piercing light--
Smote was the shroud from o’er the land;
New blooms came into sight.
Now hearts are warm, and fair is fair
And Shadow but a name;
Free folk still dwell beneath the stars
Their raiment silver-gray.