I'm not sure how I missed this epic poem up until now. I just read through the previous six chapters, and I'm afraid to tell you, these words could only be written by a poet! Parts 5 & 6 were particularly pleasing. Well done on maintaining the alliteration throughout as well.
1) it's been a LONG while between updates. Easy to miss, for sure. It's a project I don't want to rush, so I've been chipping away at it when I've been able.
2) Not at all offended of course, and thanks so much for going back to read the previous sections! I think where it'll end up will be pretty satisfying, but the route to get there is going to be pretty strange, too, I think.
I’m glad there are a few people serializing epic poetry on here (you and Robert in particular). Liv’s Maundy Thursday pushed me over the edge to try to out some narrative poetry. So we’ll see how that turns out whenever I get around to posting that.
Just caught up on all the parts - amazing work, as many have said. Inspiring to one day try this alliterative style. Really enjoyed reading it all. I think when finished it will be a great one to memorize and tell about a campfire.
I really appreciate you going back to reading them! I'm glad you found it worthwhile. Progress has been sporadic lately because I don't want it to turn into a chore or a productivity requirement of cranking one out every week, just because. I'll all come together, but in its own time, I think.
I'm a big supporter of alliterative verse; as Tolkien said, it's the English language's sole contribution to poetry.
The most well-known example is probably Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, but if you want to be blown away, read "Pearl" by the same author. The very structure of the thing is incredible, but the language and the message give me so much to think about. I'd recommend Tolkien's versions simply because he understood what the poet was actually doing. Other translations I find to be well-written, but the translators either didn't care about or didn't understand the structure well enough to follow it.
Yeah, a good way to do it on the cheap is to get a used copy of Tolkien’s versions of Sir Gawain, Pearl and Sir Orfeo. That version has a section called “Appendix on Verse-forms” that’s incredibly helpful. Then of course, you can read all three of those in verse, which he has written very well.
In my opinion, the absolute gold standard for poems written in alliterative verse in a modern context is W.H. Auden’s Age of Anxiety. (Tolkien coached him on the forms for it, too.) There are so many places he takes it.
Something like a more explicit walkthrough of Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse can be found in Stephen Fry’s The Ode Less Travelled. It’s an all-around excellent primer on verse in general, but the alliterative section is in my opinion both accurate and helpful.
Do you have any guess how many parts the full thing will be?
I first read it in my head, and enjoyed it. Next, I played the audio and was surprised and impressed with the level of alliteration that I had somehow missed.
It really is a pleasure to follow. Ambition and tradition is one thing (well, two), but ultimately it is just a genuine joy to read!
Thanks a ton, Hasse! And honestly, I have no idea! I know the direction it's going in, and I know the overall shape of the thing, but as for planning things out with that level of detail, I've found that I'm a terrible judge at that. I'm trying hard to make sure nothing is extraneous or left out, but even so, I keep getting surprised myself.
That was kind of the answer I was expecting -- I'm sure you are curious yourself! Anyway, it's gonna be fun to follow where it goes from here, when you eventually get back to it.
Thank you! Putting all of it together is no quick or simple task, but it's such a good story that I don't want to cheapen my version of it. Means it sometimes takes a bit for an update, but thanks so much for bearing with me.
I'm not sure how I missed this epic poem up until now. I just read through the previous six chapters, and I'm afraid to tell you, these words could only be written by a poet! Parts 5 & 6 were particularly pleasing. Well done on maintaining the alliteration throughout as well.
hahah well, a couple of things:
1) it's been a LONG while between updates. Easy to miss, for sure. It's a project I don't want to rush, so I've been chipping away at it when I've been able.
2) Not at all offended of course, and thanks so much for going back to read the previous sections! I think where it'll end up will be pretty satisfying, but the route to get there is going to be pretty strange, too, I think.
I’m glad there are a few people serializing epic poetry on here (you and Robert in particular). Liv’s Maundy Thursday pushed me over the edge to try to out some narrative poetry. So we’ll see how that turns out whenever I get around to posting that.
Oh that's awesome, can't wait to see!
Ok hold for comments while I go back to all the previous parts!
Just caught up on all the parts - amazing work, as many have said. Inspiring to one day try this alliterative style. Really enjoyed reading it all. I think when finished it will be a great one to memorize and tell about a campfire.
I really appreciate you going back to reading them! I'm glad you found it worthwhile. Progress has been sporadic lately because I don't want it to turn into a chore or a productivity requirement of cranking one out every week, just because. I'll all come together, but in its own time, I think.
I'm a big supporter of alliterative verse; as Tolkien said, it's the English language's sole contribution to poetry.
The most well-known example is probably Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, but if you want to be blown away, read "Pearl" by the same author. The very structure of the thing is incredible, but the language and the message give me so much to think about. I'd recommend Tolkien's versions simply because he understood what the poet was actually doing. Other translations I find to be well-written, but the translators either didn't care about or didn't understand the structure well enough to follow it.
I'll buy it! Do you have a particular example of an explanation of alliterative verse that you found helpful?
Yeah, a good way to do it on the cheap is to get a used copy of Tolkien’s versions of Sir Gawain, Pearl and Sir Orfeo. That version has a section called “Appendix on Verse-forms” that’s incredibly helpful. Then of course, you can read all three of those in verse, which he has written very well.
In my opinion, the absolute gold standard for poems written in alliterative verse in a modern context is W.H. Auden’s Age of Anxiety. (Tolkien coached him on the forms for it, too.) There are so many places he takes it.
Something like a more explicit walkthrough of Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse can be found in Stephen Fry’s The Ode Less Travelled. It’s an all-around excellent primer on verse in general, but the alliterative section is in my opinion both accurate and helpful.
Perfect - I actually have the Fry book, but haven't been reading it cover-to-cover, so I'll jump back in. And thank you!
Ah, so good with another part, James.
Do you have any guess how many parts the full thing will be?
I first read it in my head, and enjoyed it. Next, I played the audio and was surprised and impressed with the level of alliteration that I had somehow missed.
It really is a pleasure to follow. Ambition and tradition is one thing (well, two), but ultimately it is just a genuine joy to read!
Thanks a ton, Hasse! And honestly, I have no idea! I know the direction it's going in, and I know the overall shape of the thing, but as for planning things out with that level of detail, I've found that I'm a terrible judge at that. I'm trying hard to make sure nothing is extraneous or left out, but even so, I keep getting surprised myself.
That was kind of the answer I was expecting -- I'm sure you are curious yourself! Anyway, it's gonna be fun to follow where it goes from here, when you eventually get back to it.
Both individually enjoying the story, poetic choices, and photos but also enjoying how they all come together!
Thank you! Putting all of it together is no quick or simple task, but it's such a good story that I don't want to cheapen my version of it. Means it sometimes takes a bit for an update, but thanks so much for bearing with me.
This tale has my attention firmly in its grasp! So easy to read - and so finely crafted.
Thanks so much for reading, Mark. Happy to know others are finding it worthwhile.
Oh I have been waiting for the next part! Well worth the wait for the craftsmanship. It did not disappoint!
Thanks, Brit! Took me a bit to mull over, but I think I know where the rest of it is going to go now. Thanks so much for sharing and following along!