Poetry collection

[corncobman]

Pg. 290

Looks Confused

Emil watches his quarry, have to act tough.
Reynir looks with a wistful glance.
This situation seems pretty rough.
What's with the other guy's bizzare stance?

Mikkel returns to assess the sitch.
Emil reporting, prisoner is secure.
All well and good, just one little hitch.
He'a not a prisoner, just to make sure.

Mikkel lets Emil down gently, as usual.
His perception of having power is blown.
First impressions are always crucial.
Here this poor one is not fault of his own.

Misunderstood words, or perhaps blame Sigrun,
She did put him in Emil's custody.
Now Emil's act of prison-guard is done.
And Reynir will never be his buddy.

-----------------------------------------------

We have a prisoner
And we ride and we ride
We ride through the city's backside
We see the stars come out of the sky
Yeah, they're bright in a hollow sky
You know it looks so good tonight

I am a prisoner, I stay under sheet
I look through my hallway so dark
I see the eyes come like a spark
I see the bright and hollow stare
Over the city's a rip in the hair
And everything looks bad tonight

Singin' la la la la la-la-la la
La la la la la-la-la la
La la la la la-la-la la la-la

Got into the tank
We'll watch the prisoner
We'll ride through the city tonight
See the city's ripped insides
We'll see the bright and hollow sky
We'll see the stars that shine so bright
The sky was made for us tonight

Oh the prisoner
How, how he sighs
Oh the prisoner
He sighs and he sighs

He looks to his right side
What does he see?
He sees the frowning Emil guy
He see the eyes on his left side
He sees not the face, just his eyes
He contemplates his future life

And pondering all, he's lost, do you see
Wandering lost, he's lost, do you see
'Cause he's a stranger to you and me
Let's take a ride and see if he's fine
Singing...

Oh, the prisoner
He sighs and he sighs
He sees things from under sheet
He looks through his wistful eye
He knows they are are watching him
He can understand the big guy
He sees the city asleep at night
He sees the stars are out tonight

And he appears to be just fine
And he appears to be just fine
Oh, let's ride and ride and ride and ride...
Singing...

[Viisikielinenkantele]

Based on "I´m so excited" by the Pointer Sisters, made for page 286

Today´s the day we're gonna make him happen
Tonight we'll put all other things aside
Give in this time and show me some affection
We're going for this Braidy in the night

We want to love you, see you
Wrap ourselfs around you
We want to squeeze you, please you
We just can't get enough
And if you lay back in the crate we'll let it go

We´re so excited, and just can't hide it
We´re about to lose control and think we like it
We´re so excited, and just can't hide it
And we know, we know, we know, we know
we know we want you, want you

We can´t be told to wait until tomorrow
Sweet memories will last a long, long time
We'll have a good time, Braidy, don't you worry
And if we're still playing 'round, boy that's just fine

Let's get excited, we just can't hide it
We´re about to lose control and think we like it
We´re so excited, and just can't hide it
And we know, we know, we know, we know
we know we want you, want you

[slim kittens]

page 290

Some of my filks and poems take time and effort, some come quickly.  This is one
of the fast ones and I'm sure it shows.

Courtesy of Derek and the Dominoes

REYNIR

What'd you do when you got lonely?
You said the sheep were such a bore
So one day, you decide to stowaway
The Danish sheep must offer more

Reynir, the crew's not fond of you
Reynir, you'd make a tasty stew
Reynir, even Lalli's making cookie eyes

There's been months of speculation
"Are you a boy or a girl?"
All the comments and drinking that you've caused
All the Minnions forced to hurl

Reynir, you've got 'em on their knees
Reynir, quell the fangirls please
Reynir, just get them to cease their constant screams

Make the best of the situation
Show the others you're a mage
Cause you see, with no immunity
You need a way to soothe their rage

Reynir, the future's up to you
Reynir, show them what you can do
Reynir, the trolls would love to meet you if you fail

[LooNEY_DAC]

Pg 178

In a slight change from the usual filk, I present...

“The Chapter 3 Summary in Epic Verse”
from “The Lady of Shalott [1842 version]”
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Part I

From our bright Mora runs a track
By fields of green and forests black
Through Silent Lands where things attack
It presses onward, never back
They call it the Sveavagen Line
And back and forth the saw-trains go
Bringing people and cargo
To the Danish base below
The Oresundbro base

Oresundbro it is calléd
Built in time of resolve solid
Built by Danes by nature stolid
Reclaimed from the world of old
Triumphant reconquest-ward
Ten years on, its purpose altered
After sad defeat, they faltered
Warhorse to a plowshare haltered
Repurposed as a port

Thither thus the saw-train goes
Rain or shine, it never slows
Though attacks its outside shows
Slowly confidence it sows
With each transit that it makes
The Dalahasten it is named
The pride of Sweden, never shamed
Impregnable, so it is claimed
Through Silent Lands it runs

So our heroes board the saw-train
Not concerned with wind blown hard rain
All save Lalli, who in right vein
Prayed to Kuutar that she would deign
Shine down on their traveling
For he had sensed an untold story
That the Swedes in their vainglory
Ran unshielded cars unworried
‘Til disaster struck

Part II

They had thought the route secure
To send passenger cars pure
Two were let through as a lure
Then the third met destruction sure
From giants, and trolls and beasts
And Lalli sensed this tale of woe
So into saw-train wouldn’t go
Except under moonlight’s soft glow
So grosslings wouldn’t strike

So after supplication grave
That Kuutar would their bacon save
Reverently Lalli gave
Standing in the station nave
Peeked he to see Her answer
Then the clouds did part to show
The Waxing Moon with glorious glow
Sweet Kuutar smiled on them, and so
He went into the train

His cousin Tuuri went before
Miss Taru too, and many more
The Västerströms: Siv and Torbjörn
Such fine raiment ev’ryone wore
And then there was the Messy Swede
With sparkly hair that shone of gold
He sought to be a warrior bold
And wanted into Lalli’s fold
Befriend the quiet Finn

So when they all went to their beds
Wrapped in soft sheets of silken threads
Emil “Good night” to Lalli said
Lalli replied with pat on head
Though he knew naught of Swedish tongue
But as the saw-train rode the rails
Past former homes by trees now veiled
The light soon waned and fin’lly failed
The trip plunged into Dark

Part III

The wind began again to squall
Through intercoms the dead did call
Their monstrous tones spoke of their fall
The Swede knew nothing of it all
Thought Lalli fussed too much
He knew his Finn friend needed sleep
Thought him wary of sounds deep
Saw bedding piled up in a heap
Thrust Lalli’s head down, “Rest!”

Lalli smoulder’d then grew wary
Grabb’d Emil’s hand as necessary
Passed him the bed-belt for the scary
Feelings did warn him not to tarry
As giant jumped the fleet saw-train
Poor Emil flew across the room
So that he thought he’d met his doom
The fierce conductor, he did fume
“Get to bed right now!”

Then Lalli to the floor he did spring
Passing them, his mind on but one thing
Set to mark the spot made his sense sing
And Agneta noticed his pointing
Call’d out, “A breech is imminent!”
And now alarm klaxons did blare
Train guards were running ev’rywhere
Left Emil with one thought to spare
“I must find Lalli now!”

Agneta turn’d, said, “You again!”
Emil, “I’m here to get my friend!”
He duck’d between the gather’d men
Clucking like worried mother hen
“Come, Lalli, we must go right now!”
But then he found their way was block’d
And all the guards their weapons did cock
So, holding Lalli, he took stock
Of their peril dire

The sounds of tortur’d metal grew
Something outside was breaking through
Emil was unsure what to do
And all around the lights burn’d blue
Like corpses walking they look’d
But worse and worse yet was to come
For as they stood there, hearts a-thrum
Breach the ceiling steel plate did some
Foul giant’s limb to probe

Part IV

A twisted mash of human forms
Harsh mockery of what was norm
Around the tight compartment did swarm
Was welcom’d by a lead hailstorm
The valiant train-guards struck back
Seemingly without a sound
At any vital point they found
But from its wounds it did rebound
It meant to slay them all

It tried to find the others near
Another trav’ler through his fear
Heav’d the door to, then got clear
Thwarting giant’s aim most dear
To take those who weren’t immune
So thwarted then it fought anew
Just mauling all the train-guards true
The boys thought that they must be through
When something smote the fiend

Just as their lot seem’d so dim
Tunnel had sliced free probing limb
Emil felt something poking him
“Help me,” came a voice so grim
And Emil scream’d and punch’d at it
Train-guards came to sort out the head
All wounded, some badly, though none dead
The boys were shuffled back to bed
The sun was soon to rise

And the saw-train onward did wend
Tuuri knew not what had happen’d
Nor Västerströms, they did append
Into safe parts they all were penn’d
Away from the contagion
Now Emil buckled himself in
And all the while watch’d Lalli thin
But soon Lall mov’d to him
Put sparkles in his hair

And so the train at last pull’d in
Outside witnessing what had been
And jolly wash crew lost their grins
To see saws that should be like fins
Dangling free over one side
Fin’lly clear, they went to clean
Taint from their noble machine
The wounded were brought from the scene
But what of our dear crew?

Sleep restor’d their equipoise
And Tuuri, clear’d to join the boys
Found her queries block’d by noise
But still the time had its joys
(When she leapt the platform gap)
And below them in the bustling crowd
Stood their two new companions proud
And they were with new hope endow’d
At Oresundbro Base

[corncobman]

Pg. 291

Dead Serious

I have no idea how
The rest will react.
How do I say this,
With a measure of tact?

All hope be lost,
You're stuck with us mate.
Our paths are crossed,
In a permanent state.

You haven't a hope
Of returning home.
Until we are done
With plundering tomes.

You're along for the ride
Stick to us like glue
Look on the bright side
We're stuck with you too

So sit back and relax.
Rest your weary head.
Enjoy the ride. Oh wait,
You're already dead.

------------------------------



"Doomed Are You" (based on Who Are You by The Who)

Doomed are you?
Doom, doom, doom, doom
Doomed are you?
Doom, doom, doom, doom
Doomed are you?
Doom, doom, doom, doom
Doomed are you?
Doom, doom, doom, doom

I woke up in a tuna food crate
And nobody knew my name
He said "You can go sleep inside tonight
If you can get up and walk this way"

I staggered back as a prisoner
And the breeze blew back my hair
I remember bein' thrown all around
And one of them just stare

[chorus:]
Well, doomed are you (Doomed are you? Doom, doom, doom, doom)
I really wanna know (Doomed are you? Doom, doom, doom, doom)
Tell me, doomed are you? (Doomed are you? Doom, doom, doom, doom)
'Cause I really wanna know (Doomed are you? Doom, doom, doom, doom)

I took the tank back into town
Back to the Kastrup fort
I felt a little like a dying clown
As the medic gave support

I stretched back and I stuttered
And looked back on my busy day
Eleven hours in the Cat Tank
God, there's got to be another way

Doomed are you
Ooh wa ooh wa ooh wa ooh wa ...

Doomed are you?
Doom, doom, doom, doom
Doomed are you?
Doom, doom, doom, doom
Doomed are you?
Doom, doom, doom, doom
Doomed are you?
Doom, doom, doom, doom

[chorus]

I know there's a place I walked
Where sheep lie on the grass
My heart is like a broken cup
I only feel like such an ass

I feel like such an idiot
I didn't feel anything amiss
How can I travel back to Bornholm now
After a mishap like this?

[chorus]

[Viisikielinenkantele]

Page 291

Based on "Hello (Turn Your Radio On)" by Shakespears Sister for Reynir:

Woke up this morning and was stuck into a crate
Around me darkness and my thoughts were not so great
And as I waited for my friends to set me free
I kept on asking why it must be always me

The crate is moving and I am seasick as it seems
I am afraid this will be splitting at the seams
Now there are noises and I hope there will be air
And if this is a joke, it´s not so good I swear...

Hello, hello, turn your radio on
Is there anybody out there?
Help me go back home
La, la, my life is a strange thing
Just when I thought I learned how to live it
It's gone

Crate´s lid is moving and I am gasping loud for air
Somebody´s slamming it and I think, no, that´s not fair
Strange voices yelling and at last it opens, right
Where am I here and why is everything so bright

And why is everybody looking at me now?
Where are we, this is not the place I want to go?
Who are you, do you think they´re searching when I´m late?
Or will I have to stay with you and coping with my fate?

Hello, hello, turn your radio on
Is there anybody out there?
Help me go back home
Hello, hello, turn your radio on
Is there anybody out there?
Tell me what went wrong
Oh, oh, oh oh

La, la, my life is a strange thing
Life is a strange thing
Hello, hello, turn your radio on
Is there anybody out there?
Help me go back home
Oh, oh, oh, oh
La, la, my life is a strange thing
Just when I thought I learned how to live it
 It's gone

[corncobman]

The Fresh Braid of Red Hair (based on the Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air)

Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute
Just sit right there
I'll tell you how I became the Braid of a team with Red Hair

In western Reykjavik born and raised
On the sheep-fields was where I spent most of my days
Chillin' out maxin', relaxin' all cool
And all herdin' all my sheep outside of the school
When a couple of cows who were up to no good
Started making trouble in my neighbourhood
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared
She said 'You're movin' over to Bornholm in a ship full of pears'

I begged and pleaded with her day after day
But she packed my suit case and sent me on my way
She gave me a kiss and then she gave me my ticket.
I put my jacket on and said, 'I might as well kick it'.

Steerage, hey this isn't great
Eating tuna fish out of a wooden crate.
Is this what the people of Bornholm are living like?
Hmmmmm this isn't alright.

But wait I heard there was some sort of mix up
Is this the type of place that they just send this cool pup?
I don't think so
I'll see when I get there
I hope they're prepared for the Braids of Red Hair.

Well, the ship landed and when I came out
There was a dude who looked like a dope slammed the lid on my hand out
I'm not trying to get murdered yet
I just got here
I sat in the casket when all of you appeared

You asked me for my name and when it came clear
Nowhere close to Bornholm just Kastrup we were near
This cat tank was tiny and it had a broken mirror
If anything I could say that this tank was rare
But I thought 'Nah, forget it' - 'Hey all, I'm Reynir.'

We pulled up to the town about 7 or 8
And he yelled to my ear 'You're my prisoner here'
I looked at my cell-room
I was just sitting there
To sit in my sheets as the Braid with Red Hair.

[corncobman]

Pg. 292

Time Will Tell

Storytime had Reynir's mouth all agape.
He'd be at the table and get stuck in his seat.
Hearing tales of his siblings wild scrapes,
He'd listen intently and forget how to eat.

Occupational envy of his siblings he had.
While he just rounded up sheep at his home.
They had many exciting tales, good and bad.
Him stuck in place, forced not to roam.

He realised what a dull life he had,
He wasn't immune to the threat of the rash.
Bound to his fate by his mum and dad.
Hope of an exciting life therefore dashed.

Now here is a conundrum, if you must,
How will he get home, if that's even his goal?
He's on adventure now for which he'd had lust.
And what can he do if they're attacked by a troll?

------------------------------------------------


Troll Adventures (based on Holy Branches by Radical Face)

When I was young
I'd bite my tongue
At all the stories that they told
Never travelled out
Lived life so boring
Only felt peace if just outside
When the sheep don't count

There's a hole in my chest
From the time that I was born
One that don't get filled
'Cause I've always known I'm nothin' I want

But everybody's tales were just troll adventures
Fill with glee to go travelling outside
And in time I found some shelter
Run out free and then sleep in the boat
And when I'm there I'll belong
'Cause the sheep don't give a damn if I'm lost

Now I went alone
Sat in the belly of the ship
Filled with tuna cans
I didn't sleep much
Days don't feel different
From the nights
With no goals in mind

There's a hole in my chest
From the time I slipped away
After I got dressed
So now I know I'm nothin' I want

But everybody's tales were just troll adventures
Ride the breeze to go travelling outside
And in time I find some shelter
Run out free and then wait for my turn
But for now I'm adrift on the waves of discontent
Trying to carve my place
All in hopes we'll do something I want
But I ain't holding my breath

I remembered all those feats
Make my home beneath these sheets
As we travel through the streets
I'll bide my time until I'm something I want

[Viisikielinenkantele]

Page 292

Based on "Father and Son" by Cat Stevens (the original text fits too, but I still wanted to make this)

It´s not time to go away
Just relax, take it easy
You´re still young, you don´t know
What it takes to be away
Tend the sheep, watch the fields
Help your mother in the kitchen
Look at us
We are old, but we´re happy

For we once had these dreams too
But we knew they could not happen
So can´t yours, be assured
You will learn this
And this is now, we are here
Why, do you think this counts for nothing
For you will still be here tomorrow
Treasure this a lot

How can I want to get away?
The silent world is not the place for me
But just once I want to share
My siblings living
For the stories they have told
Which I listened enraptured
I want a story of my own
I know I have to go.

It´s not time to go away
Just be still and take it slowly
It´s not yours to be away
Don´t you think we need you here
To tend the sheep, watch the fields
Help your mother in the kitchen
Look at us
We are old, but we´re happy

All the times that I've sighed
Thougt about the plans I made inside
It's hard
But it's harder to forego it
They will be sad, yes, I know
But it´s my life and I will live it
Now I will go, and I know
This trip will change the way I feel

[Aprillen]

(Page 292)

He's Leaving Home

(Based on She's Leaving Home by the Beatles)

Wednesday morning at five o'clock as the day begins
Silently closing his bedroom door
Leaving the note that he hoped would say more
He goes downstairs to the kitchen clutching his braided hair
Quietly turning the backdoor key
Stepping outside - he is free

He (We gave him most of our lives)
Is leaving (Sacrificed most of our lives)
Home (He wasn't even supposed to be born)
Leaving it all after feeling so small
For so many years (Bye bye)

Father snores as his wife gets into her dressing gown
Picks up the letter that's lying there
Standing alone at the top of the stairs
She breaks down and cries to her husband "Daddy, our baby's gone!
Why would he treat us so thoughtlessly?
How could he do this to me?"

He (We never thought of ourselves)
Is leaving (Never a thought for ourselves)
Home (We struggled hard all our lives to get by)
Leaving it all after feeling so small
For so many years (Bye bye)

Friday morning at nine o'clock he is far away
Waiting to keep the appointment he made
Meeting a man from the smuggling trade

He (What did we do that was wrong)
Is seeing (We didn't know it was wrong)
The world (stowing away on a ship to Bornholm)
Something inside that was always denied
For so many years (Bye bye)

He's leaving home
Bye bye

[LooNEY_DAC]

Pg 292
“The Wanderer’s Song”
from “Follow Me”
as featured on Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUOwfbaKRgY

All my childhood
I was told the tales
By my roving kin
And I loved it so
But it only
Showed how I was dull
Boring was my life
How could I succeed?

I’m the youngest
Of five kids
All my elders
Travel far and wide

Ev’ry tale they
Told of their
Adventures
Stirred me up
Inside
And I felt the need

To find for myself
Where the road
Would take me
Many miles
From home
And what I would see

So I set out
One fine day
Left the homestead
Set out on my way

I was heading
For Bornholm
Just to have a
Story of my own

[corncobman]

Pg. 293

Reynir's Travelling Banned

Reynir believed that travel banned,
He thought that passage out was blocked.
His life at home was all too bland.
But the revelation to him shocked.

And he'd discovered many lies
His parents told to keep him there.
Was his brother all that wise,
In Reynir's wanderlust laid bare?

So his sibling revealed the route
For him to travel out to sea.
He had to make his wild commute,
On foreign country roaming free.

How he got on the tuna boat,
To the reader he must relate.
In addition he should denote
What else was in the wooden crate.

-----------------------------------

"Hair's All I Have" (based on You're All I Have by Snow Patrol)

Strain this chaos turn it into light
I've got to braid you one last night
Before the giants take their share
Leave us in pieces, scattered everywhere

Just give me a chance to braid on
Give me a chance to braid on
Give me a chance to braid on
Just give me something to braid onto

It's so clear now that hair is all that I have
I have no fear cos hair is all that I have
It's so clear now that hair is all that I have
I have no fear cos hair is all that I have

At home I'm restless, full of despair
Had to make my way out of there
Even though I journeyed far and wide
I had to see with my own eyes

Give me a chance to braid on
Give me a chance to braid on
Give me a chance to braid on
Just give me something to braid onto

It's so clear now that hair is all that I have
I have no fear cos hair is that I have
It's so clear now that hair is all that I have
I have no fear cos hair is that I have

I see the patience deep in you
Where are we all going to?

Give me a chance to braid on
Give me a chance to braid on
Give me a chance to braid on
Just give me something to braid onto

It's so clear now that hair is all that I have
I have no fear now hair is that I have
It's so clear now that hair is all that I have
I have no fear now hair is that I have

[corncobman]

Pg. 294

Single Carriage Way

Even after discouraging words,
Reynir was determined to leave.
Getting up along with the birds.
A bold plan he dared to conceive.

Leaving a letter for his parents to read,
With a goodbye from his home he had fled.
No warnings or such he was prepared to heed.
A dangerous path he committed to tread.

A new life determined to carve out for he
Had resolved to leave that boring place.
In the carriage window a face full of glee.
The excitement he couldn't hide from his face.

------------------------------------------

Far Lands (based on Green Grass by Tanlines)

Far lands say it's true
Cause I've got my eyes on you
Don't wait till it's over
Don't wait till it's over
Stand on dry land, watch it wash away.
Spend a long time watching light of day

Cause there are a lot of ways there
I don't have a plan, I don't know why
Well there are a lot of things there
I don't understand, I don't know why

Cause there are a lot of ways there
I don't have a plan, I don't know why
Well there are a lot of things there
I don't understand, I don't know why

Far lands sky so blue
Cause I thought something through
Won't wait till it's over
Won't wait it's not over
Stay on carriage, watch it roll away
Spend all night waiting for the light of day

Cause there are a lot of ways there
I don't have a plan, I don't know why
Well there are a lot of things there
I don't understand, I don't know why

Cause there are a lot of ways there
I don't have a plan, I don't know why
Well there are a lot of things there
I don't understand, I don't know why

Cause there are a lot of ways there
I don't have a plan, I don't know why
Well there are a lot of things there
I don't understand, I don't know why

Cause there are a lot of ways there
I don't have a plan, I don't know why
Well there are a lot of things there
I don't understand, I don't know why

[Viisikielinenkantele]

Page 294



Who´s traveling there in the eerie light?
Doesn´t he think of his parents´fright?
He´s searching adventure, thinks that he´s brave
And only the future will cure his crave

The time that he takes abroad will greatly change
his boredom of tending the sheep in his range
But let´s hope sincerely that he will survive
The desire to leave his home and secure life

Will he have peace in his ancestors´home?
Or only return as a ghost who´s soon gone?
Will he roam dreams and there do some great feats?
Or will he there perish and reborn as a beast?

The wanderlust never will cease to enflame
The hearts of young men who now will not be tame
The Silent World, we hope, will teach them the cure
To live settled lives and be forever secure.

[Aprillen]

(Page 294)

Shepherd's Blues

based on Fisherman's Blues by the Waterboys

I wish I was a sailor man
Tumblin' on the seas
Far away from dry land
And its bitter memories
Casting out my sweet line
With abandonment and love
No ceiling bearin' down on me
Save the starry sky above
With full speed ahead
Away from this farm
Woo!

I wish I was the brakeman
On a hurtlin' fevered train
Crashing headlong into the heartland
Like a cannon in the rain
With the beating of the sleepers
And the burnin' of the coal
Cleaving menaces in half
In a night that's full of Troll
With full speed ahead
Away from this farm
Woo!

Tomorrow I will be loosened
From the walls that hold me fast
The chains all hung around me
Will fall away at last
And on that fine and fateful day
I will join a merry band
I will ride on the train
I will be the sailor man
With full speed ahead
Away from this farm

Full speed ahead
Away from this farm