When we were children in the park,
one eve’ning long ago,
two frogs appeared out of the dark;
seemed strange to us, you know.

Each had a little, laughing gnome
riding upon its back;
they hopped from out a nearby combe,
upon an ancient track.

The frog behind leaped like a steed,
over its other kind;
in turn each one was in the lead.
in turn, each was behind.

When they had passed from out of sight,
we found it such great fun,
we made a game of it that night,
and leap-frog was begun!

Copyright (C) 2012 by John Bliven Morin

Golden sun
Ingests the sky
Angel, angel
Can I fly?

Sunset’s calling
Dark’s disguise
Angel, angel
My demise?

Angel, angel
Let me know
Sun is dropping
Don’t let me go.

Golden moon
Digests the light
Angel, angel
Hug the night.

s.k. lindeman

The garden that was Eden
Whose story’s oft been told
Cannot have been so different
Than what I here behold:

The trees and ferns of all the lands
The Old World and the New
Spiked leaves that love the desert sun
Bright flowers that drink the dew

Rare blue lily of the Nile
Rose lily from Peru
And white the angel’s trumpet
That sounds amidst bamboo

Bounteous are these flora
That bless and beckon me
But none so casts a spell as this:
The Landscape of the Wee

Beneath an eastern elm she sits
In robes of palest green
The faery perched upon a stone
The troll by her unseen

Wild his hair and full his sack
With rubies and fine gold
And dreams to win the princess
Her beauty to behold

Be ye god or man or elf
The sorrow  is the same
When earnest lover and beloved
Each have a different aim

Her love was for a tiny horse
As delicate as she
Woeful the troll that wished to woo
In Landscape of the Wee

 

by Dorothea Barth ©2012

The Queen
so fair
the mirror bright
it says her name
but thinks
Snow White

For evil lies
in heart so black
and nothing
will
it stay

Her beauty reigns
in castle tall
but hidden
dark
behind
its walls

Lie spells
and magic
as dark as night
with gloom
and death
no
nothing s  right

For she
the Queen
of darkness all
rules by death
and magic
pall

She questions the mirror
again this day
Who is the fairest
Who is?
I say!

My queen,  you are the fairest now
no one compares
nor,  you allow
for beauty runs
beyond skin deep
and in these things
the blackness keep
but yes,  behold
you are most fair
your beauty
reigns supreme

The Queen looked puzzled
at the vow
but thought not much
not then   but now
for all she saw
was that to see
her beauty great
oh, that
it be

And went to hall
where knights bowed down
and subjects groveled
all around
and gawked and looked
her beauty fair
for she
was much
to see

Her body tight
her skin so pure
her eyes so blue
like deep azure
and hair so black
like heart not seen
a face so fair
quite like
a dream

But deep within
that heart of stone
lived the hell
that she called home
for jealous to
an inch of life
let none oppose
lest die
in strife

with poisoned eyes
and poisoned spells
and poisoned potions
from poisoned wells
her evil vision
could  see thru stone
this Queen
who rules
this Land

And so the days
turned into night
and time passed on
which each dawn s  light
and sent her armies
far and wide
until she ruled
all countrysides

And all did homage
to this Queen
who broke her enemies
through force
and scheme
For none could stand
against her now
Her powers
Stood all tests

Now mirror, mirror
on the wall
Who is the fairest
Of us all?
Who rules the land
Who rules from hell
Who casts bold spells
That none can quell?

T is you,   my queen
Who is most fair
With azure eyes
And flowing hair
But Snow White lives
and now grows tall
her beauty deep
will be your fall
For when she turns
but twenty one
Your life will end
Your reign undone
And Prince from far
will take your Land
their love
will make her queen!

The Queen turned black
Her rage drew flames
She screamed with hate
at Snow White s
name
and vowed to cut
pure heart from breast
Until that s done
I shall not rest!

And ran to Hall
her knights, they bowed
and brought the huntsman
from where
t was found
and ordered him
that very day
to seek Snow White
who he would slay
and cut her heart
from beating breast
and place it then
in small jeweled
chest

Then bring her heart
that I can see
that Snow White s death
is sure!!

The huntsman thought to ask
but why
But knew to ask
Then he
would die
so simply bowed
with fist to chest
to do her bidding
on this
black quest

So left the Hall
and then set out
to obey his
evil Queen

He d heard Snow White
her beauty, true
did live near woods
where not . . . he knew
but searched the lands
until one day
he heard her name
Snow White
they say

Is purer than an evening star
her smile warms
from near and far
and hair so black
and lips so red
with perfect body
is what
they said

And there she was
in clearing light
her smile shown
her eyes were bright
and pure as pure
a gentle stream
no hint of bad
no stroke of mean

She looked at him
as he approached
his blade came out
he grabbed her throat
but then her goodness
overcame
he dropped the knife
his hands went
lame

Oh, Princess . . . forgive!
For you are, so fair
I cannot harm
one precious hair
You are so pure
you are so good
I see why she wants you
dead.

And then the huntsman told her all
And Snow White turned
an ashen pall
Now hide – or die
as quick can be
I ll slay a pig
for Queen
to see
For if she ever finds the truth
we ll both pay
with our lives!

And deep the forest did she go
where fainted dead
in morning snow
and seven dwarfs did
find her there
and took her to their home

And there she lived
for most three  years
their steadfast love
quelled all her fears
until one day
the Queen arrived
with apple in her
hand

And dwarfs were gone
she could not see
the evil witch
that Queen could be
and took a bite
and felt the death
but cried one time
to dwarfs in west

They heard her cry
thru forest and trees
and grabbed their weapons
and ran with speed
and saw the Queen
and cut her down
and cried aloud  . . .
at what they found

Snow White lay dead
upon the snow
yet still in death
she held a glow
so pure her beauty
so pure her heart
they could not accept
they could not part
so built a box of glass so fair
and placed her in
with loving care
and in a clearing
for all to see
her beauty never
waned

And years they passed
until one day
she d be twenty one
or so . . . all say
and on that day
a Prince so bold
who heard the tale
that many told
and rode on horse
into the clear
and lifted glass
and pressed her near

For he was great
and magic, too
and in his heart
he always knew
that he would find her
on that day
and kissed the lips
swept death
away

And watched her color
begin to grow
her eyes they opened
at first    so slow
for love had triumphed
where death had not
as all around
dwarfs cheered

And took her to his land
as queen
and joined their lands
and those
between
and all rejoiced
and all was well
for the Land
was now
at peace

[epilog:]

Oh, mirror, mirror
On the wall
Who is the fairest
Of them all?
 

copyright 2012 by jon gutmacher

Words as weapon
Or quelled as friend
Compassion’s chariot
Lifts again.

Little faerie wash your hands
in faerie dust — an endless
waterfall, if you must
of sparkling magic
.
All is as blue as the sky
in this cavern of scrying
no flying permitted in here
wings would never clear
.
Hidden in a cavern high
fortress lit up by the sky
a quiet cove, a treasure trove
for faerie folk to rejuvenate
.
Or to create, with their dust
a better world, for them, for us
for faerie magic does only good
as faerie magic only should
.
Wash yourself in lucent glitter
little faerie – and then skitter
off to greet the day, the sun
to share your gifts with everyone
.
“ Faerie Gifts “ . 09-22-06 . t.r. cardinet

In crystal cave of isolation
Heartbeat thundering in his ears
Pendragon loathe to incantation
A debt exacted, in arrears
.
Deft in magick, Morgan Le Fey
Did trap poor Merlin, there to keep
Oh ‘twas a fated, dreadful day
She cast that spell of ice-cold sleep
.
Wizard waiting, ‘neath winter’s white
Frozen, seemingly undisturbed
Then when spring came, he saw the light
Quick and clever, beyond perturbed
.
He mustered all his strength, his will
Within that crystal cave of keeping
He caused the light to bend, until
Thawed at last, his cloak was sweeping
.
From out of wicked shadows born
He sought the one who’d captured him
At court she spied him, most forlorn
Desperate, she enraptured him
.
Merlin, blind to all her charms
He’d n’er again, by her, be swayed
Fearful he’d beget her harm
She backed away, into the blade
.
Arthur, stunned by wicked ruse
N’er knew just what occurred that day
Excalibur did run clean through
The wretched witch, Morgan Le Fey
.
” Merlin’s Revenge “  .  10-06-06  .  t.r. cardinet

In elvin arms, so loving, strong
Leans against him, out of breath
Night wind sings a silent song
All about ’tis still as death
.
Faerie lights adorn the pond
Moon rainbow gleaming on fair skin
Lit up blue, each lovely frond
Sets the stage for both of them
.
Caught in cathartic, lovers’ trance
She cups his cheek in her hand
The night is ripe for sweet romance
They own the water and the land
.
At least ‘til dawn, at least for now
The universe is theirs to keep
Oh if it could but last, somehow
The magic, always, theirs to keep
.
They cleave unto the moment, gasping
For love is fine and rare and new
Hands above the water, clasping
Each precious touch says I love you
.
~ Moment in Time ~ . 10-14-06 . t.r. cardinet

She held some faeries in her hands
So fuzzy-soft and full of light
Bright rays upon those glistening strands
The moment was both gay and quiet
.
It lingered there, ‘tween fingers there
A shimmering orb of wonder
Each tiny clump of silken hair
Starbusts of magic plunder
.
In fascination, made a wish
Knowing faerie dreams come true
In anticipation, blew a kiss
Laughed with delight as faeries flew
.
Off they went, each on its own
Faeries, scattered to the winds
The child then turned and ran back home
To tell Grandma ’bout her faerie friends
.
“ Dandelion Faeries “  .  10-18-06  .  t.r. cardinet

Oh, what a special day!  Time for the annual
Feast of Norendaan, held – as in days of yore – on
the tiny Isle of Nor.  Nor was small-but-imposing,
in the middle of the sea, beyond a great reef.

Its beauty was beyond belief; with winding pathways
which gave way to lush gardens and trees, on either side.
No springtime bride could envision a more suitable
cathedral, nor a more festive day than today.

Nor Castle stood upon a knoll, where one could
stroll for hours and hours, admiring the flowers.
Today, the castle was alive with colorful banners
flying, and minstrels trying their best to entertain.

Inside the castle’s Great Hall, goblets, made of
buttercups, stood at attention – like golden sentinels,
lining the tables, at Nor’s faerie convention.  As in
years before, it was to be a huge gathering.

Finery of every kind was lined, up and down
the feasting table, which was dressed in a
sable-colored cloth, with shimmering threads
running through it.  Brown and gold, like earth and sun.

Called Norendaan, this was truly the most sacred
of all days, for faeries of all persuasions.  Oh, what an
occasion it would be!  It was rumored that the
Faerie King and Queen, themselves, would attend.

At once, Nor was bustling with excitement and activity,
its strange proclivity to entice guests, fairly pulling
them up the long, winding road toward the castle.
The horses made the journey with effortless ease.

Several horsemen, now arriving, their skillful
talents apparent, as each swung down off their
respective horse then, of course, bowed low
to the statue of the founder of the feast . . .

Above the head of each beast, the statue loomed,
golden in the twilight.  The frozen figure of the
Great King of the Faeries, Blithian, smiling out of
an epoch, from whence Nor had been built.

Soon, faeries in horse-drawn coaches — a veritable parade,
luminous even in the shade of both the setting sun
and the great oaks — carriage spokes glittering like
diamond dew on a spider’s web at dawn – arrived at Nor.

Trumpets sang out merrily, from either side of the
Great Hall, inviting faerie folk into the castle where,
awaiting them all, a sight so grand as to take one’s
breath away.  Oh what a day!  What a night it would be!

Long, luxurious tables held huge platters, piled high
with all manner of faerie cuisine; candlelight flickered
and gleamed, as the last bits of daylight clung to the
windows of the Great Hall.  Then, a hush fell over all.

What was that?  Listen!  Do you hear that?  Faeries rushed
to the west side of the Great Hall, to windows, tall;
the last of the setting sun illuminating, those whom
all had been anticipating:  the King and Queen of Nor!

In stunned silence, guests watched the golden sails of
the royal ship, being gently whipped by a soft breeze.
The guests were well pleased!  Applause broke out, as
the King and Queen made their way to shore, then . . .

Looking up at Nor Castle, the couple waved.  Their faerie
crowns twinkling like stars in a new night sky.
Disembarking the royal coach, it was mere seconds
before the couple approached the front of the castle.

The rest of the evening was fraught with feasting
and dancing — even a little romancing — as the royal
bard sang faerie songs of magic and loveliness.
Wings and ball gowns of every hue colored the Great Hall.
A grand time was had by everyone at the faerie ball.

For it was, after all, Norendaan.

“ Feast of Norendaan “ / 01-18-06 / t.r. cardinet

Cathedral

Spring is bouncing all about
Orange-yellow-purple spree
Pleasing eyes within, without
Fulfilling their March destiny
.
Daffodils sing sunny songs
Irises, the harmony
Poppies chime in, sing along
Altogether charming me
.
Tiger lilies spread their paws
Oh-so-pretty and petite
Dandelions too, because
Grass is green and cool and sweet
.
Tulips purse their lips with pride
Sun bestows warm, gentle kisses
Destined for a springtime bride
Their beauty almost never misses
.
With the flowers come the birds
Familiar, feathered, fetching friends
It’s hard to sum it up in words
Where God begins and nature ends
.
In this church beneath the sky
A brisk wind through my hair
We do commune . . . just God and I
For He is everywhere
.
” Cathedral “  .   2010 .  t.r. cardinet

When faeries whisper, you can tell
In marsh or woods or glen or dell
In hush of night, the sound begins
Like tinkling bells upon soft winds
.
When faeries gather for a feast
Before the sunrise in the east
Beneath tall oaks — great, ancient friends
Above, the moon, its spotlight lends
.
When faeries dance . . . oh, what a sight
Around a bonfire, pure delight
Near sparkling stream that sings and flows
The laughter, after, never goes
.
When faeries eat, the food is grand
Why, it’s the best food in the land
Everyone just helps themselves
Faeries, brownies, sprites and elves
.
When faeries feast and play and sing
Such joy to living things they bring
The scraps that they leave on the ground
Feeds animals for miles around
.
Though they may live in imagination
Though there may be no faerie nation
The wonders of sweet faerie thoughts
Trace my heart like sweet forget-me-nots
.
” Forget-me-not Faeries “  .  08-08-09  .  t.r. cardinet

Suspended in sea’s silken slumber
Great Poseidon at the helm
She dreams of romance, magic, wonder
A mermaid’s secret realm
.
Seashells, starfish, anemones
All actors in her play
She hasn’t any enemies
In sleep, she whiles away
.
He seeks her out, the captain
So handsome, strong and kind
Above her, it all happens
At least, there, in her mind
.
She dreams the dream of having limbs
As in fairytale of yore
From the depths, she walks to him
Bound to the sea no more
.
Then time and space, the gods erase
Two lovers, now, together
Cling to the other’s sweet embrace
Their love goes on forever
.
Until, that is, the moon does wane
It dims the veil between them
Desperately, but all in vain
Her legs give way, and then
.
So gently, he does carry her
Back to her ocean home
Never can he marry her
The truth of this sad poem
.
Never free to love another
Never free to marry
Always, they will love each other
In both their hearts they’ll carry
.
The headiness and burden of
Love’s contradictive state
He navigates, by stars above
From dreams, she’ll never wake
.
Just as the sea is to the shore
Their kinship always bittersweet
The lasting ache of evermore
She repositions, in her sleep
.
” Mermaid’s Dream “  .  04-30-10  .  t.r. cardinet ©

Little ones — come, gather ’round
I have a yarn to spin
Find a soft spot on the ground
With words, I’ll draw you in
.
Try to be so very quiet
Do as I ask of you
So others might come out tonight
To hear the story too
.
Tiny ones, please have no fear
I swear, I bring no harm
To the firelight, do draw near
You needn’t feel alarm
.
Mister Owl, with fearsome scowl
Grand oak tree is your home
If you detect a noise, a growl
Pray, warn us ‘fore you’ve flown

In shadows’ sweep, the night descends
The full moon casts a glow
Where this yarn begins and ends
Why, really, I don’t know
.
Fairytale, oh weave a spell
Of magic and enchantment
Of wee folk in this fairy dell
Moss-covered, green encampment
.
Firelight dances with the words
It flickers, unrestrained
Like buoyancy of soaring birds
A mystical refrain
.
In the spinning, all are grinning
The story, now, enshrouds
The hero, in the tale, is winning
Moon slips behind some clouds
.
Eager faces ’round the fire
Eyes glowing with delight
Too soon the nighttime will expire
Cast out by morning, bright
.
Then all faeries, elves and gnomes
Inside tall tales and heads
Will wish themselves back to their homes
To sleep in their sweet beds
.
Then you and I will also fly
Back to our homes, but then
We’ll meet once more and, by and by
More yarns for you I’ll spin
.
” Storyteller “  .  05-01-12  .  t.r. cardinet

Here’s a little faerie
Some magic just for you
She’s very, very, very
Kind, and very true
.
I found her ‘neath a willow
Between two sparkling streams
She’ll faerie dust your pillow
So you may have sweet dreams
.
If you try to hold her
She may laugh and fly away
Or sit upon your shoulder
Until the light of day
.
Give her something sweet to eat
And she will be your friend
Do this now — and, then, repeat
She will love you ’til the end
.
I’ll leave you two alone now
So dreaming may commence
Then, at dawn, she will be gone
Faerie magic and nonsense
.
” Faerie Magic and Nonsense “  .  04-08-10  .  t.r. cardinet