Gnomeland Poem by Chris Embrick

Beyond the shores of Lonely Island
Through Shadow Land's forest soul
By Willow Lake the hobbit's haven
Haunt of phantom, banshee, trolls
Across the moors of heath and heather
Hoarfrost clings to stem and blade
Dwarfs and hobbits scurry homeward
Before the glow of sunset fades
Beneath the ice of High Cliff river
Beneath the cold of Mirror Lake
Until winter's rusty chains are broken
The Heart of Spring remains encased.

Winter's heart as cold as evil
Northeastern gales that silence mirth
Warrior spirits chained to darkness
Restless souls of Middle Earth
Gargoyles frown to warn intruders
Thieves and beggars come to steal
Ravens sleep with one eye open
Already taste their next warm meal
On dusty bookshelves, legends crumble
Soon forgotten, ancient kings
Their treasure hoards of gold and silver
Where ancient folk forged magic rings.

In the cauldron of creation
Where nothingness still has no name
Dark Lords strategize their evil
Cross Gnomelands border, lights domain
In sight of Gnomelands spires and castles
No army yet to breach the walls
Battles fought through endless ages
Sculpted heroes line the halls
Through Seer's eyes the storm approaching
Days of gloom and death forwarned
Gone the years of herb and plenty
One to gather, five to mourn.

In the pot old toad spittle
Dragon dung to seal the spell
Wizards chant their incantations
Intoxicated by the smell
In the labyrinth of Fire Mountain
Within its lair the Ancient wakes
With fire and smoke and lust for battle
Cause Gnomelands deadly foes to quake
The Wizard's spells in time now waning
Caught off guard the Dragon stalled
Dark Lords march to kill and plunder
Cheered on by the Dragons fall.

The winds of change sweep clean the carnage
Brave Knights of Valor draw their swords
Sworn to death against the darkness
With Gnomelands Prince allegiance forged
By hobbit's lamp the legend written
In Elfin tongue, the Wizard's rhyme
How light and darkness clashed in Gnomeland
Long before recorded time
Now Spring Fairies sleep, unencumbered
By badger breath, blink and yawn
Kingdoms rise to mold and crumble
While Gnomeland greets another dawn.