Erendis to Aldarion, by Zdenka

[zdenka]

B2MeM Challenge: O64. Book Title: The importance of being earnest; Poetic Forms: Sapphic
Format: poetry
Genre: romance?
Rating: General
Warnings: none
Characters: Erendis, Aldarion (implied)
Pairings: Aldarion/Erendis
Summary: Erendis has doubts over Aldarion’s courtship.

I've been laboring over this and I'm still not satisfied, so I reserve the right to edit it later. :-)


If the King’s son wishes to wed Erendis,
let not joy be followed by later sorrow.
I would fain, Aldarion, trust your promise,
yet my heart doubts you.

To the kingly line, longer life is given;
you may spend the years as you wish, unthinking.
But to me a far lesser span is granted;
I cannot tarry.

Will you give me all of your heart as husband?
Can you put aside the sea-longing for me?
Will I, half a widow, wait for your coming
through the long seasons?

Love me or do not – I’ll have no half-measures.
I am not a game for your times of leisure.
‘Tis no game to me; if you truly love me,
love me in earnest.

Comments

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Oh well done! I thought this was a particularly tricky form, you've handled it wonderfully!

[zdenka]

Thank you! I think it helped that I studied Latin and Ancient Greek in college, and so I've seen this meter before.

[starli-ght.livejournal.com]

This was fabulous. The verse itself was great, as was the subject! I'm struggling *greatly* with this one-- it might never see the light of day...
Great job!

[zdenka]

Thank you! And good luck with your piece.

[hhimring]

I admire this. The structure of the content matches the structure of the form so well--it doesn't feel forced or arbitrary at all, as so easily happens with classical metres in English.

[zdenka]

Thank you!