"Epyllion I" to be published

I earlier reported that "Poem XII" had been successful in this year's Poetry Rivals competition, having been selected for publication at the end of November.

I am further pleased to announce that "Epyllion I - Felnah consoles the forlorn Sókan" (reprinted below) will also be published by Forward Press in their anthology Forward Press Regionals 2010 - The World Is Your Oyster.

The collection is set to be printed on 31 December 2010.


Epyllion I - Felnah consoles the forlorn Sókan

"Come, dear warrior, Son of the Light,
What ails you so? Gone is Hixen's Blight,
And the world rejoices at your valiant deeds!
Do you not walk as hero? No other's feet
Shall ever tread where you met plight."

So said Felnah, ascended from Her Nether Realm.
Replied Sókan, lifting his weary head, removing his helm:

"O Goddess, Guardian of Those Who Slumber,
You speak no lie: all the enemy I have left asunder.
The righteous have triumphed and the benighted earth
Shall be as it was—all will welcome again hope and mirth.
But Agánn has fallen! and I feel heavy and sombre."

The Lady of Shadows took pity upon hearing this,
And told Sókan of the fate of Agánn, comrade now missed:

"The indomitable Agánn: loyal friend, warrior bold;
His brand will be ever sheathed, his body ever cold.
But pine not for him: he now sleeps the Blissful Sleep,
Dreams the Eternal Dream, and reposes where I keep.
There he will be when on you death begins its hold."

This uplifted the battle-worn Sókan and assuaged his grief
As he watched Felnah depart, soundless, like master thief.

M.M. — Februarius MMX