100th Reign Populace Poetry Challenge
From MiddleWiki
At the Crown Tourney to select the 101st King and Queen of the Midrealm, the Bardic Champions of Seto-Heika and Raina Ynes issued this following challenge to the people of the Midrealm:
"With Their Majesties’ permission, the Bardic Champions issue a poetry challenge to the people of the Midrealm.
In medieval Japan, the art of poetry was open to all who were moved, not just those with special training or official recognition.
So it is with the Bardic Arts in the Midrealm.
Therefore, in celebration of this singular reign of the Dragon King and Queen, we, the five regional bardic champions, invite all and sundry who are so moved to compose verses about the Midrealm and her Centennial Sovereigns.
Note that alternating lines of five and seven syllables IS period!
Further details and documentation references - for those interested in such things - will be distributed via the usual messaging methods.
Draco Invictus!
Let the people sing out praise!
Yes, let us rejoice!
Hai! Yoroko bimashou!
Draco Invictus!"
The goal was 100 verses. Current count: 112'
Here let the people's poems be displayed and preserved.
The collected poems were inscribed and illuminated by the scribes of the Middle Kingdom, and bound together using period Japanese stab binding. Here is video of the presentation to Her Excellency Ynes.
Thanks to Baron and Baroness John and Maire for the delivery and the video.
+Seto and Ynez
Bring joy of discovery
to willing dragons
Joyous as blossoms
of delicate cherry trees'
pink petal snowfall
Try writing haiku
or folding origami
cranes for good fortune
Trio of taiko
Hearts match the great thundering
Make knights and fools dance
Write aspirations
and wishes on silk paper
burn to set them free
Years from now, these sparks
Will stay bright in our memory
Warming us again
Year of the Rat? No.
Year of Dragon and Lotus
All things are well blessed
--Maestra Lucia Elena Braganza
Red stripe on white field,
Green dragon surmount, passant.
Midrealm is my home.
-- Tarmach ben Yehuda al-Khazari
Petals falling soft
A kingdom without ending
Blossoms fifty years
-- Drænge Svenson
The Crane flies westward
Lotus blossom beckons peace
Harmony is found
-- Oswyn of Badon
Brave Seto, king of renown
Fair Ynes graces the crown
Our hearts shall soar
At the dragons great roar
The Midrealm has no cause to frown
-- Bridget O’Brian.
One hundred reigns pass
Though night may seem unending
Dawn returns always
Gold-clad brows on ancient thrones
Long may be their reign
-- Sigga kausi Geiradotter sends her greetings from An Tir
One hundred Kings, Queens
Cariadoc, Diana
To Seto, Ynes
--Taliesin of Archenfield
Graceful as a crane
Dragon-strong and kind and wise
Hail Reina Ynes!
Dragon-wisdom, might
Clever as a nine-tailed fox
Hail Seto-Heika!
Dragons fly entwined
Fortune favors the Midrealm
Draco Invictus!
-- Hilla Stormbringer
Morning dew, soon frost
Change green robes for red and gold
Winter on the wind
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
O, Winter Royals,
whose smiles doth warm all good hearts.
Welcome everywhere.
-- Tarmach ben Yehuda al-Khazari
Flaming Gryphon lands
Hold the key to future’s plans
Winner to be crowned
Seto-Heika
Amada Reina Ynes
Summon great warriors
Gareth, Timothy
Shield held high for all to see
Rodrigo, Dyderich
Criomhthann, Tonis
Fierce Ixtilixochitl
Ambrose and Ustaad
Felix, William, Dag
Thorvald, Crispin, Ivan, Zyg
Shining in the sun
That is all, save one
Lothar stands before the Crown
Pauses, turns around
Knight on bended knee
His love for her plain to see
“Yes!!!!” she says with glee
Shields clash, swords broken
Win the match, move your token
Victor is chosen
Shepherd of Fire crowns
Felix and Madeleina
Heirs to Dragon Thrones
Wishes on ema
Released by flame’s gentle touch
Drift into the night
Muromachi feast
In Honzen Ryori style
Cooked to perfection
Anon and anon
Sing the Kings of the Midrealm
Song of time for Queen
Cherry tree in bloom
Bridge across crystal river
The Path to the Crown
-- Taliesin of Archenfield
This is my haiku
Their majesties are the best
Dispute, and fight me.
Another haiku -
Their Highnesses are super
This I will fight for
Heirs to our thrones now
Blessed are we to have them
Draco Invictus!
-- Sascha St. Martin of Darkmoon
You tried to speak first
I spoke and stole the spotlight
A haiku d'etat
-- Jesse Riggs
As seasons do change,
Crown Tourney brings new Royals
Succession succeeds.
-- Tarmach ben Yehuda al-Khazari
Mix-and-match colors,
Hats, feathers, puffs and slashes:
Such Landsknecht fashion!
All in finery
Candid captured, portrait posed
People of Midrealm
-- Brendan O Coraidhe
The Drummer keeps the beat
the Dancers move their feet.
Seto convorts with youth
Ynes spins 'round in truth
Caer Bears dance for fun
Crystal Ball is done
-- Oswyn of Badon
Luuurve Landsknecht fashion!
There's a dead sheep in mah shorts!
Icky icky icky!
-- Brendan O Coraidhe
Regal horses prance,
Weapon-wielders show their skill,
Honor to Roses
Laughing Tsarina
On broad champions' shoulders:
Rannvaeig captures joy!
Chill November day,
Sun glints bright on blades and bows
Warms Midrealm's past Queens
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
Warm hands and happy hearts
Spreading laughter and mischief
Ceinwen's Misfit Lions
~Taliesin of Archenfield
Tonight on the Saga of Loki:
Betrayal
Sharp the toe knives,
But sharp no more,
As Mother's hand knife cuts me to the edge of the quick.
Absolution
You think to buy me with your poultry treats,
You think my heart so easily swayed, 'gainst the damage done me and mine??
But ah, gentle scritches do go far
Forgiveness
And too, revenge.
For how can supper be made or daily tasks done with sweet supple purrs across thy legs.
-- Siobhan
Sir Ix travels far
Honors fair Reina Ynes
Black Star hails Dragon
+White surcote, red pale
Forest fighters in far East
Hundred Minutes War
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
+Autumn fires rage
Taiko summon samurai
Dragon King simmers
+Withered leaves rattle
Snowflakes swirl on dampened wind
Dragon bides His time.
+Blossoms burst in spring
Taiko in the distance sound:
War looms in the East.
+Summer wind smoky
Arise, King of the Dragons,
Take back what is yours.
-- Katherine Elenora de Lacy, CW, APF
+Sir Artair begs boon:
Sirius placed on vigil.
Minion will be knight!
+Archives uncovered
Ancient memories recalled
Thanks to Saradwen
Seto and Ynes
Dragon rules over Pale Gules,
Planet Gules as well!
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
Colors Vert and Gules
Made into regal garb, but
Never look like Yule.
-- Matilda FitzRichard of Lochaven
+Little smiles, bright eyes
Dragons banish cold with flame
Spirit of giving
Together we celebrate
Unity and innocence
-- Erin Fortney
+Cleftlands hosts The Schvitz
Celebrates life in harness
No one goes hungry
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
+Haiku: just three lines.
Five syllables, then seven,
The last line, five more.
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
+I see what you did
Made a haiku out of it
Aren’t you clever?
--Sascha St. Martin
+Queen's bard I was named,
Champion the bardic arts?
Lead by example.
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
+Yes! That’s the spirit.
Please Their Royal Majesties
With silly haiku!
+I have been lead to
A Joyous world of haiku
Much thanks to you friend
--Sascha St. Martin
+Haiku are tricky.
The end seldom makes much sense.
Refrigerator.
--Lucius Ursus
+Snow under my feet
Crystals dancing in my breath
Winter here at last.
-- Rosalia Ferrari
+Mouth numbéd, I rest
Less toothy a grin to sport
Beware! Opponents
Who see my grim countenance
I shall not go Tooth-less long
-- a tanka by Sugawara no Tokihira
+Speak with a strong voice
Tell truths that are not preferred
Create needed change.
+Shimmer of satin
Drape of wool and swish of silk
Dash of know-how, garb!
--Rosalia Ferrari
+I explained Haiku
Unto Her Excellency
Using just Haiku
--Tommaso Franceschi
+out of each province
of the sky-spreading Midrealm
from bird-calling east
to the Pure Abode's marches
frozen dew coating
the grass that makes their pillows
the nobles process
to the many-stoned palace
in order to reach
the most honorable gate
of the Sovereigns
who rule all under heaven:
the vibrant gold Lord
and the shining red Lady
who rose in triumph
amidst the people's assent
to compose gladness
and to solemnize each rite
showering the earth
with their benevolent reign
as gifts to hopeful children
(envoi)
as the former year
was eagerly spoken of
in this sky-seen realm
may the coming year also
elicit the people's pride
-- Baroness Kasha Alekseeva
-- A ch?ka
+Pentamere 12th Night
“Helpful comments” arts display
Encourage new folk!
Mystery package -
Sparkly joy brings smiles to all:
Tiara Fairy!
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
+Pentamere 12th Night
Was a delight,
Sang and played notes,
Pulled my instruments out of big totes.
Visited with friends, both old and quite new
-- Ld. Angus Olphart
For fifty winters
The folk huddle close, basking
In the dragon’s glow
Brown dry dragon claw
Sends forth silken stars to grow
Milkweed by the road
--Branwen filia Paynell
+Three Haiku:
Ice, snow, weary miles:
Mighty Dragons travel far.
Joy is in Their gift.
Snowflakes tumble by.
La Reina walks in sunlight
Spring lies in Her hand.
Hear the cold wind howl!
The voice of Seto-Heika
Is warm with laughter.
A tanka:
Strong as summer sun,
Gentle as flowing water,
Fierce as thunderstorms:
Dragon King and Queen go forth
Nurturing a wise, fair land.
-- Dame Marie la Fauconniere
+Lovely images!
Please write more verses? Fooey.
They are from last year.
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
+Generosity.
Kindness everywhere I looked.
I have the best friends.
--Lucius Ursus
+Snow-dappled morning,
Bright and sunny afternoon.
Spring is in the air!
Much love of learning:
Weaving and wrapping wire,
Bards and troubadours.
Wall, moon, and lion,
Puck makes his apology:
Tragic lovers’ farce.
Champions chosen.
Food fight! Puns tossed tween tables.
Masque of Courtly love
+Dragon King and Prince,
Fighters from across the realm
Travel to far Aethelmearc.
Test mettle against many,
Blows trade in great joy.
Weary warriors return home,
Lessons learned at Aedult Swim.
We like King Seto,
A cool samurai guy who
Inspires haiku.
You're home from Val Day.
You witnessed wonderful things.
So write a haiku.
--Brendan O Corraidhe
+Old college campus
Brings new squirrels to the fray
Art, combat, new life
--Roberto Fernández
+Fortunate are we,
Midrealm's populace, to have
Reigning for a while:
Just and gracious Seto King.
Kind and valiant Queen Ines.
-- Lady Hildigunnr Halldorsdottir
+Por la Reina
Su sonrisa hermosa
El gente feliz
-- Baron Malachy of Cynnabar
+Leap for joy this day!
Vigilants' joy and surprise
Prowess, service, and talent
Recognized with writs
In Cleftlands, Flaming Gryphon
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
50 Lines for 50 Winters
A Tanka Chain
-- compiled by Madam Ursula Mortimer
Fifty years are dust
Rust is Quicksilver my blade
At the beginning
Winter spring, ash back to wood,
A new seed sprouts here today
--Duke Cariadoc of the Bow, now of the West
Wind whispers old names
Ripples cross the Inland Sea
Stories bring wisdom
Carrying tales from the past
On the shore, a man listens.
--Master Owen Alun, O.L., Northshield
A delicate breeze
Foretells a mighty tempest
Sweeping all before
Only the ceaseless mountain
Withstands the typhoon’s fury.
--Madam Ursula Mortimer, Middle
Laden with bounty
Strong in storm and sound in calm
Great sugi bursts forth.
His sheltering branches stretch
To guide and guard a kingdom.
--THL Dulcibella de Chateaurien, Calontir
Chrysanthemum king
Upon the great dragon throne.
Flower and fire join.
Three dragon scales shield the realm
As joy and fortune blossom.
--THL Dulcibella de Chateaurien, Calontir
Summer leads to fall
Winter leads on turn to spring
Each day, a sunrise
At dawn the dragon takes flight
Guarding, guiding and seeking
--Master Owen Alun, O.L., Northshield
The Dragon’s wings rise
Beat the air with strength and flame.
War’s fury unleashed.
Dragon king, fierce in battle,
Fiercer yet in blessed peace.
--THL Dulcibella de Chateaurien, Calontir
Inhale wind-whispers:
The fiery exhalation
Sings out, full of joy,
Calling to the flame-hearted;
A beacon in cool darkness.
--THL Emer ingen ui Aiden, Ealdormere
Seeds planted in rain
Rise quietly in sunlight
Flowers gleam brightly
Petals one by one recount
Ancient days and current deeds.
--Master Owen Alun, O.L., Northshield
Wise and good is he
who tends this garden of peace.
His fame shall not die,
But live in song forever
A light to our descendants.
--Madam Ursula Mortimer, Middle
The inspiration for this project came from Master Owen Alun, O.L., of Northshield. After I wrote the tanka for Akira-dono, he engaged me in a form of poetic dialogue called a tanka chain. When, a few weeks later, Seto-heika became the Middle Kingdom’s 100th heir, I had the idea to gather a team of poets from the daughter kingdoms of Calontir, Northshield, and Ealdormere to create a tanka chain in his honor. Owen also suggested inviting Cariadoc of the Bow, our first King, to contribute the opening verse.
The poets:
Duke Cariadoc of the Bow, now of the West
Master Owen Alun, O.L., Northshield
Madam Ursula Mortimer, Middle
THL Dulcibella de Chateaurien, Calontir
THL Emer ingen ui Aiden, Ealdormere
Magister Stephan Calvert de Grey, O.P. and Madame Ursula performed the verses for Seto-heika and for the populace of the Cleftlands at Regular Event in the Cleftlands, February 29, 2020 A.S. LIIII.
+The Dance
When my little Viking had scarcely turned two,
We wandered a revel with nothing to do.
While keeping my toddler from climbing the thrones,
I spotted a jester with bairns of his own.
Our next course of action took no thought at all.
The dancers launched into a spirited bransle.
The jester and I gathered all our offspring
And formed a two-grownup, three-little-kid ring.
We five danced together the rest of the night.
The children’s gyrations made quite a droll sight.
The jester’s young daughter slipped her hand in mine,
And it gladdened my heart just to see her eyes shine.
Full many a year now has passed since that day,
And many the mem’ries I’ve lost on the way.
But seeing Her Majesty, sweet and serene,
Brings back that bright night when I danced with a queen.
-- Gwendolyn merch Llewelyn
Dragons know no boundaries.
Winged beasts whose fires enbold
Man’s hearts and Man’s foundries,
Hoarding treasure troves untold,
And inspire deep inspection
In Man’s mulling cups and flagons
Pining for the old reflection;
Drab existence with no dragons.
-- Lady Líadan Liathán
Written at the 2020 Spring Slumberbardy in the Irish poetic form Ae Freislighe
List fields are silent,
No banners in empty camp:
Fear of pestilence.
Merchants stare at empty shelves,
Sellers have no customers.
But not Mappo, this!
Midrealm is no ten-foot hut
Retreat from the world.
We gather - in *small* numbers,
Laugh like gods outside Sun’s cave.
Dragon Children sing
Hands and hearts redeem the time
We will see this through
-- Brendan O Corraidhe
Softly the Dragon whispers,
“Sleep, my children, sleep
Though later than thy wont.
Be still, that foul airs and sadness
May pass thee by. Sleep, I say.
Summer comes anon, in its own time;
Though late we wake, yet shall we awake
Renewed, refreshed, rejoicing:
Sleep, o my children, sleep."
-- Dame Marie la Fauconniere
His Majesty must
By now be sick and tired
Of these damned Haikus
-- Tommaso Franceschi
Coronavirus.
Separately at home, but
Together online.
RUM sponsors classes.
Zoom helps us share our knowledge,
Together we learn.
--Kadhrin the Red
In time of sickness,
the people miss our Shogun,
we do not see him.
Our villages are lonely,
our feasts uncelebrated.
But he is with us,
at the Middle Kingdom’s heart
where he always was,
as the Sun when out of sight
behind a cloud, still gives warmth.
-- Ursula Mortimer
Ink and paint flowing
Paper fills with words and art
A poem for Midrealm.
--Miriana of Cleftlands
The one hundredth reign
Claimed by Seto and Ynes
Began in Midrealm
Yet the ethereal realm
Was the dragon's sleeping dream
A world unknown
Riddled by invasive plague
Ravaging the land
But our Good King Seto
And Radiant Queen Ynes
Stood shining above
Lights of hope in darkest times
Shepherding the flock
Guiding us to tomorrow
For the next stewards of hope
Blessed people are we
Humble servants of Midrealm
Of Dragon sovereigns
To witness crowning moments
Of love, triumph, and honor
Yet like the passing
Of winter, spring, to summer
All times come to end
We honor their stewardship
And rejoice in memory
-- Lord Hosokawa Gentarou Masahiro
Resources:
Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetics entry on Japanese Poetry
Lots of resources on Spanish poetry here: Facebook thread on SCA Bardic Arts group
Romance (Ballads): These are narrative poems. Each line is eight syllables long, and the rhyme scheme is abcb defe. It uses assonant rhyme (the vowels rhyme, the consonants don't have to.)
Sonnet Coming from Italy but was made popular in Spain in the 16th century by poets such as Lope de Vega. They consist of two stanzas of four lines each and two stanzas of three lines each. Each line is 14 syllables. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDC DCD.
Coplas The most famous of these were written by Jorge Manrique. Each stanza is two paired lines of eight syllables each, followed by one line of four syllables. The rhyme scheme is abc abc.
