The Tyrant's Mother

What would you do if your children turned out this way? Fantasy poetry and a very different style for me...

 

The Tyrant’s Mother

 

He stood there looking out to sea

and as he turned he smiled back at me.

he said “One day it shall be I who sit

upon that throne.” “Thou shall do as thy see fit”

said I to the bonny boy. He turned his back,

his face so cloudy, full of spirit and I saw he did not lack

the qualities he needed to achieve such lofty dream.

Surprised was I to see in such a face that wicked, evil gleam.

 

Years have passed and there he sat

posed on his throne, regal as the  mountain cat

smiling down upon his world that he holds fast in his hand,

he remembered the battles he fought over this, his bloody land.

Honorable conqueror, o noble son

tell your poor mother, what have you done?

Slaughtered the innocent, and away you ran,

was this your idea, this was your plan?

 

This child I bore has to the devil turned

I worked so hard to raise him, but what has he learned

“Mother,” said he “I did this all for you

now we shall live, as we were always meant to do.”

Dawn will come, tomorrow is a new day

Come morn my journey will begin as I escape ‘cross the bay.

Turn away shall I. Your world I cannot face,

I give up my position, I reject my place.

 

The years have once more come and passed

I live alone, doing all that I can

to make up for my sins, until one day he comes at last

a visitor, my grandson, now become a man.

He begs forgiveness, brings his wife

His child cries in his mother’s arm

They have come to escape the madness, lead a new life.

The babe, I see will grow, he will raise the alarm.

 

He too will conquer, he too will win.

He will bring us hope against our terrible king.

this child lying here will free us from his sin

As he rides his golden horse, the truth, like bells will ring

for here and now I erase my fault

this child will my future save

the king’s own madness he will halt,

with this life, so innocent and brave.

Author's Note

Critiques are welcome and encouraged. This isn't my normal style, but I want to improve in my writing generaly, so any constructive suggestions are welcomed with great thanks. Thanks for reading!!

Reviews

[Lair Noir]

Wow, very impressive.
I love this kind of epic fantasy style. I would say definately work on this style some more, you clearly have a talant for it.
It's a really interesting running narritive, told splendidly through the language and with a nice couplet rhyme that makes it pleasant to read.
You can really get a sense for the time and place, through your choice of words and language: "'Mother' said he, 'I did all this for you'" Speaks volumes for the poem as a whole.
Very impressive stuff once again. Keep up the good work.