Casting Shadows

“Power resides only where men believe it resides….

…And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.”

                      Spoken by Varys, Master of Whispers, to Tyrion Lannister, A Game of Thrones Book 2

Image: karen wyatt md blog/images67

Looked down upon and ridiculed from birth

by strangers and by family alike--

their wealth may purchase swords and power too;

yet they could ill explain the likes of you.

Survival hinges on resourceful mind--

you learned the power of words quite early on;

advantages of self-effacing charm;

how quickly clever anecdotes disarm.

Your father rules his kin with iron fist…

unbending--forcing each to play their part;

setting sights on who will win the game

and bring more glory to his family name.

But cleverness is ofttimes hidden deep;

one’s stature and appearance a disguise.

Through life of servitude and forced conformity,

you have survived despite your odd deformity.

Inside Kings Landing blood and incest reign,

but still perhaps the least may come to will rule--

while seven kingdoms fight for righteous king,

we watch this "shadow" hiding in the wing.

©  Ginny Brannan 2013

Tyrion Lannister is a dwarf born into a family of wealth and power. His mother died upon his birth, causing even family to despise him and see him as an outcast. Yet he is still a Lannister, and as such the name must be protected at all costs. Tyrion learned early on that though his height had limitations, his mind did not; and knowledge would be key to his survival. Seen as a fool by many due to his deformity, those on the sidelines of power know that he is much more than he appears to be. Tyrion proves that wit and knowledge can be a mighty allies, and that a small man might cast a large shadow, indeed.

Third poem inspired by George R.R. Martin's series "A Game of Thrones"

Find the first, "Daenery's Song" here.

Find the Second, "Beyond the Wall" here.

Beyond the Wall

You ‘took the black’ and chose to serve The Wall--

this last defense from wildlings in the night

and ghost white walkers, blue eyes shining bright…

doubt weaves its thread through head as you stand tall.

Here in this place, respect is something earned

though line may blur ‘twixt what is right or wrong

seen many things, though you’ve not come here long

with eyes wide open, each a lesson learned

Now comes the time to venture out beyond

to find that old Nan’s tales are coming true.

Will hope for seven kingdoms fall to you?

Perhaps the Spring will see a different dawn.

Up at the Wall, the Winter has arrived…

  all you need do Jon Snow, is to survive.

©  Ginny Brannan June 2012

Google Images:Credit and link below.

Inspired by The Game of Thrones Book 2, A Song Of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin.This is about Jon Snow, the bastard son of Eddard (Ned) Stark, Lord of Winterfell. He chose to "take the black", pledging to forego all personal wants, to stand guard against the dangers of the north. Second in my Game of Thrones series. For the first, click this link: Daenery's Song. (Apologies to my Irish & UK friends for my attempts at Celtic inflection in the reading. I do not come from the right side of "the pond" to do it justice!)

*Image: Google Images: from thecoolkidztable.blog

Sharing at d'Verse Poets Pub Open Link Night Week #47

Daenerys' Song

Written for d’Verse Poets Pub Meeting the Bar: Critique and Craft Prose to Poetry challenge, 11/10/11: Pick a passage from a novel, essay or short story that qualifies as prose, but for you is particularly poetic. Step 1: reformat without changing so it appears to be poetry. Step 2 convert from poetic prose to pure poem. 

The Quote:

"Somewhere beyond the sunset, across the narrow sea, lay a land of green hills and flowered plains and great rushing rivers, where towers of dark stone rose amidst magnificent blue-grey mountains, and armored knights rode to battle beneath the banners of their lords."

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Daenerys page 29

Prose to Poetry:

Somewhere

beyond the sunset,

across the narrow sea,

lay a land of green hills

and flowered plains

and great rushing rivers,

where towers of dark stone

rose amidst magnificent

blue-grey mountains,

and armored knights rode to battle
beneath the banners
of their lords.

Daenerys' Song

I gaze across the narrow sea

recalling in my memory

a lush green land where rivers flow

fled in exile long ago.

Can see the towers of dark stone,

the castle that was once our own;

and far across the flowering plain

the blue-grey hills call out again.

Armored knights with blades of steel

rode out in service to our seal.

Usurper now sits on the throne

and dares pretend that it's his own.

I know someday I will return

to rule again, and watch him burn.

Winter comes, and time grows nigh

soon they’ll hear our battle cry…

  

as sun sets on this savage land

the dragons wait for my command

©  Ginny Brannan November 2010

It should be noted that full credit for this excerpt, the inspiration for this piece, is given to George R.R. Martin. It is he who created the amazing characters of this tale. My wonderful 26 year old son has introduced me to the books, and A Game of Thrones is also currently a series filmed for HBO. An incredible and fantastic story well worth reading and watching!

Top Photo: G.Brannan personal collection, door at Kilkenny Castle, Ireland

Here is a link for d’Verse Poets Pub Meeting the Bar: Critique and Craft Prose to Poetry challenge, 11/10/11

Below please find a YouTube link--my words put to music and sung by a lovely young lady from Germany, who prefers to be known on You Tube by the pseudonym: Mother of Dragons. Many thanks to A.B. for contacting me and sharing her wonderful voice!