For Love Eternal
This is a poem that I'd written for my creative writing class in college... oh, many years ago at this point. I got a little bit carried away with the prompt, having been instructed to write four stansas. Instead, I wrote four, three-stanza verses, and later expanded it to five verses. It was written using the melody from the hymn Together We Serve, which is a large part of why it overshot the prompt by so much! Still, having the melody of that song in your mind can help with the flow. Originally inspired by one of the quests in vanilla WoW (one that shares its name with the poem). I'm posting it here just because I can.
For Love Eternal
We met in the gardens, of that castle so great
With justice our hearts were afire
We vowed to uphold the chivalrous code
My mind by your words was inspired
You spoke of the needs of the poor and the lost
To service our duty would lead
With your words and your beauty, your pureness of heart
Together we'd aid those in need
So carry her slowly, lay her down gently
Put the ring of the pledge on her hand
She is one with the poor, and one with the lost
Though she sought to rule all the land
We met in the moonlight, one evening so late
On the shores of the lake we embraced
We found that our love had grown over time
Not a thought for the world we now faced
You swore that you loved me, I pledged you my heart
We promised we'd ever be true
Our arms held each other, our hearts beat as one
As we sat in the moonlight so blue
So carry her slowly, lay her down gently
Strew petals of rose on her breast
The symbol of love, the conqueror of hate
As we lay her forever to rest
We met in the tavern, our orders had come
Our missions were not what we sought
For I was to serve in a land far away
And you were to serve in the court
You said that the distance no challenge would be
That true love would vanquish the miles
Sadly we parted but our faith kept us strong
And our tears were mingled with smiles
So carry her slowly, lay her down gently
Place the seal of command at her side
The symbol of duty, and service to all
There in the grave to abide
We met in the councils, many years had gone by
The land was now riven by strife
With the rich and the powerful, you'd cast in your lot
I had chosen a far different life
You urged me to join you, the high born, the mighty
You promised me power and gain
I begged you to listen, to remember our vows
I continued to beg you in vain
So carry her slowly, lay her down gently,
Lay the star from her crown at her head,
She dreamed of great power, and honor and glory
A dream that with her lies dead
We met in the battle, the fight surged around,
And the moment I'd dreaded the most
Your hatchment I saw as the ranks drew aside
At the head of your terrible host
You laughed at our weakness, you vaunted your power
Your eyes burned with hatred so cold
My heart burned with sorrow, my eyes filled with tears
As I struck through your breastplate of gold
So carry her slowly, lay her down gently,
Lay the shards of her sword by her side,
The love I have cherished, the love I have killed,
The love for whom I'd have died