Is EPIC poetry still a thing?
Epic poetry has always been one of my favorite styles of prose. The ability to tell a story within the confines of a specific structure appeals to the Virgo me on a subatomic level.
I've wondered why it's fallen out of favor. Especially in our hurried society. Most stories are told in just a few pages rather than a few hundred, making it so much more convenient than a full novel. I love the whole premise of anthologies just for this reason. You can read one or two and not have to worry about stopping in a crucial part because life interrupts you.
I have even tried my hand at poetry and some small "epic" style poems. I am intending to publish a small volume soon, but I thought I would post one of them here to gauge reaction before I do.
As always, I welcome comment, constructive criticism, and honest dialogue. This work is original and strictly copyright protected.
The Duel
Winter rages against the grain
A lone cottage stands at the end of a lane.
Animals bed down, huddled together.
Quiet against the wrath of the weather.
Inside the hut, a fire is built.
He stands on his own, brought down by guilt
His eyes stare at nothing, empty and dark
Willing the past to erase it's mark.
He let her go though his heart was breaking
She couldn't know there was nothing left taking
With her gone, how could he breathe
How could he do it he just let her leave
Out into the storm she ran that night
When he couldn't understand her plight
A marriage of convenience he would've forced her to
Denying her heart a love so true
She raged against him he would see
With her true love she needed to be
A secret told in whispered fright
Before she ran out into the night
In shocked silence he let her go
Now a blood debt is his to owe
The man she loved would come at dawn
In battle they'd meet with swords drawn
He knew he'd fight though his heart was heavy
a demanding price his opponent would levy
True love's rage alone he'll face
A steady drumbeat for every pace.
They'll square off to take their measure
In a dance of death they'll take no pleasure
Steel will ring in the dawn air
Seconds stand ready so all is fair
Who's cause is just you might wonder,
a father who grieves or a love torn asunder
It will matter little in the breaking light
When blood is drawn to end the fight
No peace he'll know in his old age
He sighs and hands his sword to his page
A young life is over before it's begun
That makes three threads the Fates left unstrung
He wanders away not caring where he goes
He sees not a thing through the tears that flow
A daughter he lost to his foolish pride
Dead by his hand the love at her side
Though he grieves most for one so small
The secret he'll keep from one and all
The babe she carried, her secret not told
Forever lost to him, no grandchild he'll hold
©Tabz Jones all rights reserved
All images sourced from Pixabay.com
'The Duel' is most certainly an enticing poem! I personally appreciate and love poems. Hence I say well done :)
An interesting thought I came across whilst reading your article line "I've wondered why it's fallen out of favor. Especially in our hurried society." Personally I believe, it is due to our world continuously rushing forward into the next step, that we are not given the extensive opportunities to learn the art of writing pieces such as poems. An interesting position to place oneself into wondering what else we have 'hurried' past?
Thank you so much, I am glad you liked it. And I completely agree. There are so many thing that have been left behind that could still serve society if only they were remembered. But in a world that seems dominated by the rush of youth, the wisdom of age is relegated to the attic. Oh boy, I think I may have found a new subject to add to my list of blog topics LOL