Lily's NaPo 2023

[Lily of Archenland]

I'm back!!
I'm a little behind but I still have time to make it up.

Springtime Traveler (tentative title)
04/01/23

The skies are soft and gentle there,
And rarely flash a smile -
Here they are fierce, excitable,
And sunny all the while.
I've grown to know how cherry trees
Embrace the Springtime rain,
While here the bright azaleas
Are coming out again.

---

A Change of Pace
[04/03/23]

I'm feeling off my rhythm,
I do not know this dance.
I wonder if I ever did,
Or left my steps to chance.
I stepped out of sync this year,
Embraced a slower pace,
And now my legs are wobbling
As I try to catch up with the race.
The minutes weigh less, ticking by,
A curve of the Earth away.
I wish I did not have to try
To wring more meaning from my day.

[Lily of Archenland]

We Still Have Music (haiku)
4/04/2023

Wind-chime memories
Call you on the cloudy days.
I will sing their tune.

---

The Brink
4/05/2023

I can feel the thunder in my chest tonight,
And I hope the sky won't break.
Oh I hope the sky won't break.
I used to dream that someday I'd take flight
But I'm not ready for the heartache,
And I know it would be heartache.
I'm finally falling in love with your creation.
I've found my own roots are a blessed invocation.
Why would you take all of this wonder away?
Must you destroy it to bring a new day?

[Lily of Archenland]

Ultimatum (villanelle)
4/06/23

You said that there was nothing left to save;
No hope to find in fantasy, joy in art.
What was the point in staying, being brave?

You closed the fairy door that wonder gave.
The girl you used to be, she held my heart.
And you said there was nothing left to save.

I lost your confidence in some dark cave.
You could not see my whole through hated part.
What was the point in staying, being brave?

I could not hold you fast, though I so crave
Returning to our bright and hopeful start.
You said that there was nothing left to save.

I would not survive as cringing slave
To haughty discourse throwing fiery dart.
What was the point in staying, being brave?

Because I would not fear you and behave,
I spread my wings once more, my course to chart.
Farewell, if there is nothing left to save.
I cannot heed you if I would be brave.

--
[Needs title]
[4/06/23]

"Rain, rain, go away"
Children chant outside;
They wish the storm would let them play,
Clouds would scud and hide.
Water turns the mud to pie,
Serves the flowers wine;
Grows the wheatgrass green and high,
Fattens berries on the vine.

[Lily of Archenland]

I... feel super vulnerable about this one actually.
---
"Beloved Hunter"
4/07/23

I find my dreaming roots in you,
They branch out from our name.
We both are hunting, seeking folk
Though we don't always hunt the same.
You would hunt in forests,
Fir and cedar, dappled light,
Or deserts where the rocks cry chorus,
While I wander inner paths at night.

You showed me the wonder in a stone–
Silver spider-veins, fire-forged black glass–
Shells and teeth where aged creation's known,
And crystals where the rainbows pass.

You were kind and generous,
In contrast to my caution and fear.
Always ready to believe the best,
And knowing your God could work in you here.

I would fly far to escape to you,
To hear the ocean breathe with your joy.
Maybe someday when the world is new
We'll play with nature's wildest toys,
Then find peace in mountain lakes again.
I hope you will love me as I am,
For all I am changing from what you knew.
My quarry found, white stag or lamb,
Will show my spectrum of colors true.

[Lily of Archenland]

A Harrowing Hymn
[4/08/23]

"You are there," they said as horror,
That there is no escaping wrath.
"You are there" they said, a fetter
Shackling young feet to the path.
They promised there is always fear;
In the fire, my judge is near.

What if it was not threat, but promise?
Into the deepest dark came light.
In the day of silence, redress
For the lost and captive plight.
You tore and twisted the last black gate:
You triumphed and called love from hate.

[Lily of Archenland]

[Needs title]
[4/09/23]

Can you have "holy envy" for what you've lost?
Even under shadows, the sun still sang.
There was a thrill when we knew the notes the church bells rang.
If you have found your safety, at what cost?

I know
There will still be living flowers,
Wherever I go.
Lush gardens between the walls of towers
Are not the only thing worth living for.
Beyond pink petals stands an open door,
And I can hear the minstrels' flutes.
I have potential, and can move my roots.

But what if there was more?
No lies from controlling brutes,
A fortress where no prison cowers.
I would beg your steps to slow -

Listen.
An old tale once twisted is unspun,
And woven again to an epic indeed.
No tyrant rides, but a prince at need
To live in disguise,
Teach you to be wise,
And turn the clock back on every rotting wish;
Break curses with bread and wine and fish.
There are so many echoes in your soul
Of a hope you couldn't prove, but have still spoken.
What would you risk for a world unbroken?

[Lily of Archenland]

"Particular Theodicy"
[4/10/23]

Any conscience I have
Is none of the making
Of some vindictive monster,
Brooding on forever's edge.
You are not the child in Omelas,
And if you were
The vessel of wrath to obtain some greater good,
I would not walk away,
But seek such a lance
As could unhorse the tyrant
Who put you there.

[Lily of Archenland]

"Small Lights Still Shine Brightly"
[4/11/23]

Sometimes I am so small,
And the dark around so deep.
I hear nothing when I call,
It feels as if God is asleep.
But still I hold a candle,
And can touch a friend or two,
And if the next step's what I can handle
I can step closer to you.
When I see the light held in your hand
Dance on the lonely path,
I'll see how tall that I can stand,
And bare my fangs and laugh.
We're only two good monsters
In the shadow of the Wood,
But we'll make our way til we find the stars.
With you, I know I could.

[Lily of Archenland]

Son of Gondor
[4/13/23

A strong man, a fierce man, a man brave and true
Came riding to the council at the last homely house.
Light of his father's eyes, trusted by brother too,
On the wings of a dream with a horn to rouse
A waiting army.
Still, fear for homeland nibbled him like a mouse,
And he came not knowing what he could do.

He had lived by the shadow, often fought it to its face,
From his tower of history and wonder.
He could not forsee his own fall from grace;
Last stand against shame would split his horn asunder,
After treachery alarming.
Steadfast companions gave him to Rauros' thunder,
Never more to proudly ride to his place.

[Lily of Archenland]

Blessings for Armor
4/14/23

I would cast you a blessing, young knight,
But I do not know what shape it should wear.
Where do you find your truest light?
When will truth and hope draw near?
You once procured an anchor to hold me fast in stormy seas.
May your own craft never founder, as you're sailing home to me.
May you always have the wisdom to divide the truth from lies,
And strike the sparks of little joys to brighten up your eyes.
Dear as brother, may you learn to fight
With love as your sword, strong, keen, and bright.