As you no doubt know, March 25th is Tolkien Reading Day – a tradition begun by The Tolkien Society in 2003. Not that we need any excuse to celebrate the works and worlds of the Professor! But on Reading Day – and the days around it – there are often special events. And this year is no exception!
You may recall that last year, composer and sound engineer Jordan Rannells (the creator of the Long-expected Soundscape: music and ambient sounds to create a world around you, as you read The Lord of the Rings) teamed up with ArdaCraft to bring us a live stream event, where parts of The Fellowship of the Ring were read over the corresponding chapters of the Soundscape. This year, Rannells is doing it again!
On Sunday 23rd March you can listen along to readings from The Return of the King, surrounded by ambient sound – immerse yourself in Middle-earth! Enjoy readings from folks such as artist Ted Nasmith, composer Stephen Gallagher, and TORn’s own Quickbeam and greendragon – plus a whole host of familiar faces and wonderful folks from the fandom.
The whole thing kicks off at 12pm EST on Sunday, and you can find it here. Set your calendar – get ready to spend the day in Middle-earth!
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our poetry feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. So come and join us by the hearth, and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
The Beautiful Queen of Stars
by: Peter Kenny
Bright stars gleaming in the night, Diamonds in the sky, Gifts from the lady ever white; Radiating with light, Too beautiful for words, She is queen of the stars shining bright.
We call on her in dark times, Moments of despair; Praying to her for brighter times; Prayers she hears sent by us, Our songs raised in praise, She listens to our voices with love.
Night- time skies filled with gleaming stars, Blossoms in a field of dark, Dewdrop diamonds from a silver tree. Down here on earth in starry light, We now see in that sparkling sky, Visions of her shining face; The Beautiful Queen of Stars.
Lady dressed in shining white, Radiant snow white, Queen revered by one and all; We rejoice in the light, Of her gleaming stars, She is queen of the stars shining bright.
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“Utulie’n Aure”
by: Caroline Flynn
“Tears unnumbered ye shall shed.” So was spoken the prophecy of dread. Upon the Anfauglith such a battle was fought That unnumbered tears and devastation were indeed wrought.
As the battle waxed thick and strong, And the hopeless end seemed not long There arose a cry, so strong and clear That, for a time, was dispersed all darkness and fear.
“Utulie’n Aure!” In a loud voice Fingon cried, And over the field the din of battle died. For lo! Turgon his brother was come from Gondolin, And glad was the meeting of the sons of Fingolfin.
Never so welcome was hope unlooked-for. “Utulie’n Aure!” Never was the cry heard stronger before! In the brothers’ hearts hope was glad and high – Alas! That it should so soon die!
For Turgon was driven back and forced to retreat, Though Huor urged him that he went not in total defeat: “While yet you stand, Morgoth shall not be our demise, And from you and me, a New Star shall arise.”
But did this comfort Turgon when he heard of Fingon’s fall? Or did he regret having retreated behind his walls? Hope one moment, then black despair – Why did all have to perish that was good and fair?
“Farewell my brother, so valiant, so brave,” Turgon murmured. “Alas, that you could not rest beside Father’s grave. But wherever you sleep, may you be in peace, From Mandos’ Halls may you find a speedy release.”
For a time he stood, sad and silent: But then a light came to his eyes, steady and defiant. Huor’s words echoed again in his mind, A hope and a promise they would bind.
“Utulie’n Aure!” He cried his brother’s cry, And he raised his fist against the sky. “But even if day shall fail and night fall, A New Star shall arise that will Evil forestall!”
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If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
The following event(s) took place in Middle-earth on March 25th:
