(prompt #22 picture of the cave where the anchor resides “today” in Onweald; this poem I’ll need to edit some more (obvs) and use in a fantasy short story that supports a longer novel coming out in 2021)

The Anchor of Jawll

By Sandy Lender

 

 

In the land of Kida, the king left his bride

As was custom for family, custom for kin

He sought the gods’ favor, ‘fore ocean tide

Could overtake Kida’s outer seawall again

 

His task was worthy

His task was grand

For going to sea,

They stood to a man

 

In the land of Kida, the king left his bride

And the women she governed both fairly and kind

No maid, young or old, would dare leave her side

To protect Kida’s seawall, the women stayed by

 

Within their great hall

King Dlan left a gift

The anchor of Jawll

Which no man could lift

 

In the land of Kida, the king left his bride

And treasures among them bought them much favor

With the gods and the priests and the Ungol pride

But Queen Lelta’s loyalty never did waver

 

Across the deep ocean

Of seven isles

Dlan took ev’ry man

Through angriest trials

 

In the land of Kida, the king left his bride

The anchor of Jawll that glowed and then spoke

To judge who would threaten their ranks from inside

With this gift the queen knew who healed and who broke

 

Across the bleak ocean

For seven long years

With ev’ry seaman

King Dlan disappeared

 

In the land of Kida, the queen took her place

Using the greatest treasure of them all

Blending the peoples who would join their race

Testing their worth with the anchor of Jawll