*Any and all quotes from Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, and put in as part of the poems for special effect--I thought it just "worked"...* Imagination Unrivalled ~A tribute to the Master Storyteller~ ~Tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien~ A mind of genius true, perhaps, did course within a life so full, and with a humble start so small, a tale did grow and ever pulled the heartstrings of so many folk who read it once, and then again as understanding made its way into the souls of many, then another tale, and longer, wound its way into the mind and heart of that dear dreamer, bolder still, and so again such lore did start to weave its birthing pangs along the path where patience worked with will to find and make the image grow, and formed the shapes much larger still and then became the magic words, the pictures of a fertile mind in constant searching out the ways for which it should then leap and find that greater still, the perfect work for which imagination seeks, as on it went then through the days and nights of toil, of love, in weeks and years of conflict, and of doubt at times of self, but never dire, as high imagination flew on silvered wings and ever higher, and made that tale for which it sought so long and hard in boldest mind, and crafted carefully a lore no other like--his own design. Strong Alliance A Last Alliance of Elves and Men gathered on the battlefield, black and gray, silver gleams, glinting off of spear and shield. Thousands now marching rank on rank, stern and resolute are they; grave and keen, fair and fell, ever now their mood is fey. Elven archers upon the field, silent, tall and high, Men deem; armoured Men, axe and sword, Elves’ companions with them team. Marching, marching, surely to doom, smoke and ash now fill the sky; swiftly comes, darkest dawn, evil fire does flame on high. Flying arrows piercing fell throats, screams of death they travel far; bloodied Men, fallen lay, Sauron waits, all life to mar. Felling blow strikes both Elves and Men, screaming e’er, the wild wind fey; almost now, hope is gone, one deed more yet death’s hand stays. Wielding a stroke so swift and sure, Isildur his bane does find; battle won, ’til later years, when Gollum the ring will mind.... The Tales and Wisdom of Bilbo Baggins "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door..." The road did sweep you off your feet, didn't it, Bilbo dear? Took you places far and wide, adventures for to find! The day the Dwarves came to your door, found it right out, you did-- lane that you walked everyday, unknown to you it was. "You step into the road, and if you don't keep your feet..." Long ways did take you ever on, just as you thought they might; longings stirred inside your heart, so much to your surprise! Huge trolls and caves and goblins grim, did give you many scares; then met one so thin and mean, and "present" you did find. "...there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." Woods so dark and spiders so big, they helped you prove your worth, with the aid of what you found, and bolder did you get. "Do you realize that this is the very path that goes through Mirkwood..." Mountain high hid dragon of old, until you found the door; made yourself a burgler then, such treasure for to save! "and that if you let it, it might take you to the Lonely Mountain..." War and toil and journeys so long, your spirit did not break; home again you found yourself, inside your own sweet halls. The years they passed, and ring you held, not knowing what you had; 'til one day it passed along to nephew from your hand. "I am leaving everything to him..." Of rings and magic, you'd not known that much 'til you let go; on the story went from there, becoming far too real. So old you got, and tales you wrote, until it came your time, dear Bilbo, wise old Hobbit, to lay the Red Book down. "But I at last with weary feet.... My evening-rest and sleep to meet."