A/N: This poem attacked me and forced me to write it in the middle of the night last night . . . and it still won't leave me alone. So here I am. I read far more LotR fanfiction than is good for me, but this is my first foray into writing it, so be kind. I follow the Legolas-and-Aragorn-were-friends-before-the-Fellowship crowd. Needless to say, this is about them -- I did have one in mind as the narrator, but it can be read either way so I won't tell you which one's which. Also, if anyone knows how to make FFN let us have stanzas, please tell me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
my eyes are burning and
as hard as i try
i can't stop them
it is too much –
the battles, the stress
too long
with too little sleep
it is all catching up to me now
of course he finds me
and holds out an arm
not saying anything but gazing
at me: that look
i can read everything he's trying to say:
we did it, we're safe, i know
it's not over yet, but
we'll do that too
we're in this together
and somehow this makes me want to weep
even more
and i feel like
crawling
to the comfort, the assurance
the strength
but i wait
until the have cleaned up
no enemy remaining free
and found shelter
until we are sure we are alone
until i have walked
tall, at least, if not quite proud
into his embrace
until my face is hidden
in his tunic before
i let the tears fall
dampen the fabric
silent
we are silent
i know
even had i broken down
right there in the open
even sobbing and screaming
i could not be less in his eyes
but i could in my own
and so i keep control
always control
until we are safe
besides
the knowledge that
he could not think me weak
that is enough
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So . . . please review. I'm too stressed about the art history quiz to come up with a snappy comment this time. Sorry.