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Reflections on the puddle of life

Grendel

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by
TheFifthElement
, 03-22-2009 at 12:11 PM (2302 Views)
Having just finished reading John Gardner's very excellent Gredel (adapted from Beowulf) I felt inspired, unusually, to write a poem in the style of the dramatic monologue currently featuring in the form poetry contest. Not a winner (heck, firefangled's posted ) but the happiest I've been with a poem for a long while. Or rather the most I've been with a poem for a long while. If you fancy a go at the form poetry contest details of the current form are here: http://www.online-literature.com/for...&postcount=549

If you haven't read the book I'd recommend it. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grendel-John...7737939&sr=8-1

and if you feel like it, you can read Beowulf via Lit-net: http://www.online-literature.com/anonymous/beowulf/
(poem deleted)

Updated 07-05-2009 at 06:38 AM by TheFifthElement

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  1. qimissung's Avatar
    That is an amazing poem Fifth. I particularly like "when peace strangle your tired old kingdom..." How can we think that we will ever be free from war when spiritually we seem to need it so much?
  2. Virgil's Avatar
    Oh Jozanny (http://www.online-literature.com/for...er.php?u=38985) who no longer visits lit net said that Grendel was one of the best novels ever written. I have known of John Gardner through some of his books on writing but I had never read Grendel before. I had wanted to and when Jozy said what she said I bought a copy of the book. It remains on my pile to read and I do think I will make the effort to read it this year. Perhaps it can get into one of the monthly book club forum. I think it might fit in the science fiction or fantasy genre. Thanks for this Fifth. Nice poem too.
  3. Dark Muse's Avatar
    I want to read that book my sister really liked it. I named my new rabbit Grendel
  4. Silas Thorne's Avatar
    This is a wonderful poem, rich in alliteration like the Old English. I particularly like the way you've used phrases which seem like the formulaic phrases of the oral epics: 'destroyer of mead-halls', 'brothers in bloodshed', 'undone by violence.' I haven't read Beowulf in the Old English now for such a long time though that I can't remember if any of these are translations from the original stock phrases.

    A terrific opening stanza and closing lines. The stirring firesnakes in the darkness. Wow!
    Inspiring. And if 'Grendel' inspired this, I'm going to read it, and then get back into my Old English.
  5. a_little_wisp's Avatar
    This is an immensely clever poem, Fifth! Your use of kenning and alliteration gives it so much life, as Silas says. The imagery, the anger - I can almost hear his voice! I'm tempted to pet his head. Maybe. I've read Beowulf, but never Grendel - friends have told me to read it, I just haven't gotten to it. I will certainly check it out!