Myrddin Wyllt (Merlin)

The truth about Merlin

Myrddin Wyllt (Merlin)

You all know Merlin from the fables you're told
A recital of lies and the tellers I scold
for leading you on with these tales of magic
While the truth is forgotten a story so tragic

He was one of a twin with a sister named Gwen
Who waved him goodbye as he left with his men
To fight in a war for the king he advised
Against an enemy he so truly despised

The death and destruction drove him quite mad
From sage to unhinged the account is so sad
He ran from the battle into forest far deep
And lay in a huddle to do nothing but weep

Where rabbit and deer watched as he wept
Crowding around as the lost soul he slept
Keeping him warm through the cold of the night
Sensing good heart none were in fright

Merlin awoke to find everything still
His state of mind had turned to tranquil
So he stayed in the forest and lived out his days
Befriending the beasts and learning their ways

With idyllic peace and a mind now so clear
He became known as the soothsaying seer
People came from so far away
To gain the advice of Merlin the Grey

But tragedy came when he saw his own death
A threefold event that would take his last breath
To fall and be stabbed were to start his demise
Then to drown in deep water which would stifle his cries

The fear of this end unhinged him again
And turned our poor hero into one so insane
He became one to fear and for others to mock
Once angering a shepherd by chasing his flock

The villagers decided to drive him away
And marched to his hovel at break of day
Merlin feared as he ran for his worth
While his hateful pursuers were reeling with mirth

Distracted by terror blindly he ran
And this was the end of this kindly man
For over a river cliff did he fall
But for his death this was not all

For he landed on a lone fisherman's spike
And into his gut did this weapon strike
Then into the river did his body roll
Sinking down where death took its toll

The battle where Merlin did first lose his head
Is the reason Arthurian legend did spread
It took place at Arthuret just outside Carlisle
So treat Merlin the Wizard with nowt but a smile

The End

Reviews

[MomzillaNC]

Really terrific poem. I like how you used the form to educate, but never fell into the trap of pontificating.