Since my beautifully illustrated chapbook, The Fairytale Ends, launched on Good Friday, I thought I’d share the first part of the narrative poem as a teaser. 

My ballad sequel to Charlton Miner Lewis’s modern retelling of the 14 century (Middle English) poem continues the tale of Sir Gawayne after he returns from his adventures and reunites with his love, Lady Elfinhart. Don’t worry. You needn’t read the previous work to enjoy this one!

The noble Sir Gawayne, loyal knight 
of lofty Table Round lived for
adventure, honor, and liege lord,
but (maybe) loved his lady more.

The maid was Lady Elfinhart,
a beauty like few mortals knew,
and this made sense because the maid
was raised by fae–who knew to choose

what fashions fit the human form
to entice men–and women who
know they are judged upon their looks,
the first thing that their knights do view.

So Elfinhart was schooled in charm,
her glamour of a mortal sort.
She kohled her eyes–and for her lips
and cheeks a cherry worked its art. 

A beauteous thing may be a joy
forever; that the poet knew.
But there’s no rule that says that joy
is not enjoyed by fairies too.

And so I tell the tale again
of Sir Gawayne and lady fair.
You may or not know of his feat
with the Green Knight, but here I’ll share

a portion of that prior tale
in my own words–to catch you up.
The knight’s adventure I’ll relate,
yet move the tale still farther up

to follow after Elfinhart,
her motives, and her union to
the noble knight who braved the Green
encouraged by his lady’s cue.

*

*Thankyou for visiting my blog. More of my writing can be found on my Patreon . Stay safe, be kind, and read often!

*image “Knight Charger Horse Rider: Knight Charger Horse Rider Vintage Art Illustration,” courtesy of Andrea Stockel via Public Domain license and PublicDomainPictures.net (modified for this post)