Found Poem

(Sample "true" found poem, from Beowulf – from the beginning of “the dragon’s treasure” digression, ll. 2230 – 2280. This was done to provide an example for my students, who were required to choose a digression in the poem, and make of the words in it their own composition, focusing on something that catches their creative eye. A "true" found poem uses mostly, if not only, words from the original document.) 

I thought this was apropos, given the end of my blogging life on Multiply.

SURVIVOR

The last survivor of a noble race,

he looked around him, joyless --

gold and jewels in a sealed fortress,

precious, ancient treasures

in that large stone tower,

built near the sea below a cliff;

waves in front of it, rocks behind.

The last survivor of a noble race,

he knew how war and terror

had closed the door

to all gladness, delight, and living.

He knew that hidden treasure,

heaped high in the tower,

would tarnish and crack.

The last survivor of a noble race,

he alone in the darkness sadly watched

the end of a dynasty.

Gone the harp’s bright song;

gone the hawk on its swift wing,

gone the trampling stallion,

their masters hurled to the grave.

Copyright © 2012 by Teri K D Bannerman