The Making of a Knight #tellastoryday

The boy’s hands had been frozen cold by the snow. He shivered wondering if he had the strength to return home, but he must mother needed the food. He imagined the warmth of a blazing fire. He saw a key that poked out in the snow. So tiny yet he could sense its power. Curious how a wooden box appeared. “There’s a bit of magic I would guess” much later to that he’d attest. As the gold key turned in the box, the key began to grow and glow.

The fire he had hoped for sprung up around the key, but the boy was brave and touched the fire without being burned.

Though many people in the presence of magic ask for something to ease their lot, the boy was content to hold the warm key and box. The box got heavier until the boy reluctantly set it down on the ground, but he continued to hold on tight. As the flame grew more intense, the box, which revealed itself to be pure gold, became clear like glass. The boy expectantly peered inside. The only thing he could see was a plain gold ring. He reached in through the fire, grasped the flame filled ring, and placed it on his finger.

An onlooker would have seen a most magnificent thing on that frozen eve. A key, a box, and a ring transformed a boy to a knight. The glow about him melted the snow. A kaleidoscope of color mingled with the fire,  flowers sprung from the impotent earth, fruit sprouted on nearby trees, and life that had so long ago departed returned to the barren land.

Little did this simple boy know that he was chosen by the key for a mission. The knight would save many downtrodden soul in the cold, unrelenting world and provide golden hope for the besieged. Long after the knight was gone stories would be told, through the land, of the knight who carried warmth for all in his hands and his heart.

Today is National Tell a Story Day.

Advertisement

The Golden Key (Revisited) #Grimmfairytales #children

Today is the 200 year anniversary celebrating the work of the Grimm Brothers who wrote 200+ fairy tales. I read The Golden Key and felt it had ended prematurely so this is my suggested part two to the tale:

The boy’s hands had been frozen cold by the snow. He shivered wondering if he had the strength to return home. He looked at the key. So tiny yet full of life; he could feel it. As the gold key turned in the box, the key began to grow and glow. “I am warm,” the boy said in cheerful surprise.

The fire he had hoped for sprung up around the key, but the boy was brave and touched the fire without being burned. He now knew this was no common key.

Though many people in the presence of magic ask for something to ease their lot, the boy was content to hold the warm key and box. The box got heavier until the boy reluctantly set it down on the ground. He held fast to the curious box fearful it would vanish.

The box became hot as it ignited from the key’s glow. The boy continued to hold on tight. As the flame grew more intense, the box, which revealed itself to be pure gold, became clear like glass. The boy expectantly peered inside. The only thing he could see was a plain gold ring. He reached in through the fire, grasped the flame filled ring, and placed it on his finger.

An onlooker would have seen a most magnificent thing on that cold frosty morn. A key, a box, and a ring transformed a boy to a knight. The glow about him melted the snow. A kaleidoscope of color mingled with the fire. Flowers sprung from the impotent earth, fruit sprouted on nearby trees, the life that had so long ago departed returned to the barren land.

Little did this simple boy know that he was chosen by the key for a mission. The knight would save many downtrodden soul in the cold, unrelenting world and provide golden hope for the besieged. Long after the knight was gone stories would be told, through the land, of the knight who carried warmth for all in his heart.

Photography The Key to My Soul by Petal Dreams at Deviant Art

Over at New World Creative Union and the Wednesday Wakeup Call the call is to embrace the fairy tale genre (old or new) and be inspired. 

At long last a remedy has been discovered #medicine #fantasy #poetry

The lady a victim of a cursed poisoned rain

her breathy, alluring beauty consumed him causing heart’s pain

How was a knight to endure?

Vigilantly he sought her life’s cure

In a relentless quest

he travelled on her behest

seeing the world high and wide

clock’s hands moved life’s ebb and tide

he found a man who conjured infallible potions

“What will you give to spare your emotions?

she may already have met her grave”

“time will allow me her to save”

“alas it is too late

you both must endure your fate”

take this… one sip will heal

two …you will no longer feel

three… is her demise (or yours)

“what is it ? says he with wide open eyes”

“to answer said knight’s query

it is a prozac and purple magic slurry”

Flipside Records has great word prompts weekly. This week was no exception

The Tenth Knight #writingjoust #microfiction

I had to chose 10.

“Are there 10 remaining?” I looked around for the answer.

“Ten who can fight” my palms were moist with concern.

“Can I subject ten men to do my bidding on this an errand of certain death?”

This realm had been left to me when my father fell in the battle just two fortnights ago.

Then he bent down on his knee of his own volition

“No my …… you cannot.”  I could not speak aloud of our love not now.

“I need you by my side not dead on a battlefield~ for surely you will die” my eyes wanted to scream.

Dutifully, in front of the court, I heralded him as my tenth knight.

“The day you fall is the day my heart will fail me” my lips said to him.

He bent his head but momentarily cocked his eye in recognition, in love, in sacrifice.

“I know my queen but I must do my part to save you! Love me until I die.”

My tears seemed loud as they hit the cold floor of the throne room.

Only my beloved knight heard them.

Submitted for the writing prompt- at Weekly Writing Joust.

Nobility Lost? #poetry

Once so noble

they did say

fought fire-breathing dragons

gave his life away

***

Handled a blade

feared not the scourge

he fought with his might

they called it courage

***

He gave much

to win lady fair

for the love of her

his honor he’d share

***

What caused it to happen

that put out the fire?

was this his fate

caught in the mire?

***

That look in her eyes

he knew it was true

she could free him

with  flaming eyes of blue

The picture prompt is part of Friday Poetically hosted by Brian Miller at One Stop Poetry.

The Power to Rap #FlashFiction

( this is over 160 – don’t mess wit me)

Hear my stic  ‘bout knights of old

Tales foretold

but have u heard one

rarely laid down

Dis is bout a knight’s dayz off

he don’t fight

takes it downtown

the man is gettin down

rappin man is quite a fool

but boyz the ladies think he’s cool

Thanks to my friend Sean Vessey who keeps bailing me out of writing dilemmas. I think this is more his than mine. Join us, each Monday, as we begin The Quest of Titan our  endeavor in writing a novel in “duet” form.

Monkey Man is the fun and crazy weekly host of the fast and furious Flash Fiction. Why Flash? It’s over before you have begun. In 160 characters, there is nothing more than blinking that occurs.

Credit to creative Commons and Alyssa Tomfohdre for the Photograph

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosbyalyssa/4671431905

Lady’s Knight #OneShotWednesday

Last week for One Stop Poetry, I wrote a poem about a knight leaving his lady. I wrote  verse the following day that continued the poem. I asked my friend Sean Vessey if he would help me write the two poems into a piece of prose. We have written several things in Duet form. A Duet in writing is where one person speaks and the other person responds. It’s a fun way to write; I encourage others to give it a try. Would love to know what you think of this piece and the duet style as we hope to produce more and would appreciate the feedback.

Lady’s Knight

by Sean Vessey and Leslie Moon

 

I lie awake and hear the sounds.

My Knight prepares his war kit to go.

Men preparing to leave. In the darkest hour, they will proceed

His lips graze my face. I am despondent ~ he leaves me alone.

In frustration, I refuse to kiss my knight goodbye

How do I leave my darling to run into danger when all I desire is the warmth of her arms? How do I tell her that she is the sun and moon to me?

There is no sun nor moon nor stars as he departs on his steed.

Farewell giver of heart, my guide on the righteous path

I have no place to lay my head ~fair thee well

Oh my Lady Fair, my Princess of the Moon, I agonize to leave you alone without my lips

My gentle knight lover of my soul I feel your sorrow and want to hold you near.

Off I go, on my guard, so I may return to her loving arms.

Ride into the night my brave one. You forgot a kiss when you left. You have my heart guard it well

Our quest is perilous and long. Our journey hard, there lies our quest.

I dream frightful dreams. He enters the very jaws of hell. What to protect him but my love?

The beast, the vile dragon, rages burning the king’s towns. Dark consuming smoke rises in the distance. Ill tidings of things to come.

Dearest valiant one return to my arms. Do not be suffocated in the darkness be steadfast.

There is the beast dark and grim. Our archers spread out “fire“, arrows bounce off the beast. “Knights ready“ at the top of my lungs I scream ~ “archers fire“

My dreams of you falling have weakened me. I could not go on without you?

We charge ~ lances held high. A sweep of the dragon’s claws kills five stout-hearted men.

Darling, feel my shield protecting what is most valuable to me

My steed leads now as the dragon is blinded by arrows. His claws swipe at the air ~  my lance goes in past his ribs to strike true

The darkest part of night has arrived for us all. My darling, far from me, what shall I do for they have laid siege to the castle?

Other knights follow striking well~ the dragon falls on top of two brave knights~ he is slain

They take me. I cry into the evil clutches of the night. I ache for one more glimpse of you my darling

I feel no relief ~ My true love is in peril now ~ I sense it ~her soul calls to me “Help Me”

My love I am in anguish ~ cold ~alone

Knights, I must ride. My love is in danger

What will they do? I need a ray of light and you!

“We will follow soon, ride ahead to your mistress” My horse feels my need and rides like the wind

I call into the night hoping against hope

Limbs whistle overhead as I ride. The night urges me on.

They have driven me into the deepest despair. They tell me you are dead – my heart beats no more

Oh my love, hold my heart, embrace your hopes. I ride to your call

I am lifeless. I recoil at the thought or you no longer whispering my name under the stars

My love, my heart, hold true, I come

I am limp upon the stone. What is that sound I hear? “If only…”  I weep

My Lady, My love ~I am here

What is that…? It sounds like my love.  Alas now the wind plays tricks with my heart

My love? A bleak keep is there.  I feel Her close

You are here. Our hearts call to each other. Come my darling~ my knight

I hear her forlorn cry ~ my resolve hardens~ those who hurt my lady will pay. I ride past the watchmen knocking them down. Into the keep ~ into the main hall ~  tense for battle

One exhausted Knight cannot possibly prevail against such darkness

The way to Her voice is clear. She is in the tower above

I hear heavy footsteps a voice my heart knows. He has come. Nothing matters in the world but us two. His lips on mine. Never leave my darling. Never depart

Others come, I hold her narrow door, with blade and shield

I am not afraid – he is my flesh. I will die by his side if need be

Never will we die together~ I fight~ we live for each other~ always in our hearts

He has defeated dragon and foe with one sweep of his courageous, brave heart

A sound and fury comes. The other knights are coming to our aid

He has confidence in his brother knights. He enfolds me in his arms, carries me to safety.

The Keep is ours. My love is safe. We are joined heart to heart.

As, I gaze into his eyes, I thank him with a lasting kiss. No more will we be parted

I kiss her as though it is our lips first meeting

The breeze gently plays with my hair as he sings to my heart

“My Lady”, I whisper with my heart, “my true love. I am yours always“

I beckon him into the moonlight . The two of us veiled in the mist of our desire

Swept Away (#poetry )

On a steed you came

swept me from my terror

placed me in a meadow

filled with fragrance and shelter

***

Your hands had held me

your eyes now too

nor could I look away

from your kindness true

**

Forehead spoke of promise

nose spoke of fate

and as I looked closer

your lips swept me away

***

Into a land I’d never seen

nor scarcely heard

Where springs caressed rocks

breezes were softly heard

***

I couldn’t walk away

not yesterday nor today

I melted in your arms

removed from any harm

I wrote a Flash Fiction yesterday of a Knight and a lady (Waiting for Night)  this seemed a perfect companion.

Waiting for Knight…(Friday #FlashFiction)

I PONDERED…

The young woman who lived behind this door

What did she think when the man she loved rode off that fateful day?

It mattered not that he traversed fields and forest

nor that he slew a fierce dragon.

Her arms felt a cold remorse

in letting him leave without her favor

… a kiss

Thanks for the weekly challenge of putting 55 words next to each other and making … voila a story. Amiably hosted by the renowned (in his own town) G-Man aka Mr Know It All. You could join us – I’ll warn you that  you might get hooked.

Our poetry site (Brian Miller and I)  @onestoppoetry site is up for an award. If you are on Twitter would you vote for us in the category of #arts and especially #poetry. You have to add a “because” at the end of your tweet. Thanks so much. Vote Here.

Photography: L Moon  “Beaumaris Castle Door”