The Fairy Tale King

A true-ish story about the life of Ludwig II

Once there was a little man,

And he sat upon his throne.

There he could see everything,

But nonetheless he felt alone.

On a berg he built himself,

A home fit for a thousand men.

Cold winds blew through the halls,

And these were his closest friends.

The beautiful swan he built of stone

and it reminded the king of fairy tales.

So he built a library full of tomes,

To try to lift his lonesome veil.

The king was different from the rest,

And he loved to keep his lovely gems.

He adored the swan as if his child,

But his mind caught up with him.

He tried to read his fairy tales,

To escape his sole reality.

Building the swan was his greatest avail

Though some would call it insanity.

One day the king went for a walk,

With only a phychiatrist by his side,

Not but  cold waves kissed his face,

On the coldest, darkest night he died.

But poor old king he felt alone,

So he picked a friend to take,

When the guards had found the king,

They were floating on the lake.

At last the king he found a friend,

And left his lonely swan to wail.

He will be named, through history,

As the king of fairy tales.

Author's Note

Written for the king Ludwig II of Bavaria. His swan still stands today, wish I could go there. Tried hard to translate it into German, but to no avail. If someone could help me translate, or at least help finish the English version, I would be very grateful. If not just enjoy, and feel free to review :)

Reviews

[CommandoDolphin]

The rhythm in this poem was inspiring. In the great pool of fairy tales you're currently surfing next to Charles Perrault and Hans Christian Anderson.

[Kenaz]

This one is hilariously real haha

[Kenaz]

Sometimes history gives us the best fiction

[David Scott]

The eccentricities of royalty have given the world a view of life without reason and limits...
I am thankful for fairy tales and history. I have learned to be thankful I do not have more magic than I know now or more freedom than sanity demands...
A very fine story.

[Kenaz]

This man was so inspiring. You can tell by the architecture of his castle that he was brilliant. He was eccentric to say the least.

[Kenaz]

I remember this beautiful story poem of yours, when it was written in German... (and I thought that time) you did it so well.... still it's hard to write in another language, (I know all about that).

To re read this does my (fantasy heart good).
The third word in your second stanza, "mountain"?

You rhyme scheme is beautiful, your cadence also :)
But most important, the feel and the story of it,
I do adore. Do you want to make this poem longer?
More kind of couplets?

Well done my friend.

- Elisa

[Kenaz]

I extended it a couple of stanzas, but I still feel like it is missing meat. It moves much too quickly for my taste. The story of this man's life is amazing though. A berg is a a mountain or ridge :)

I know a berg is a mountain... :) but in my Dutch language, that's why I noticed that so quickly. Though I thought, mountain was more fitting in English to the whole piece... anyhow, wonderfully done, do not change that word, if you don't want to. :) I shall think with you on this piece... (need some time for it though) will let you know.

[Kenaz]

I used berg for alliteration purposes and to throw some German flair into it :) plus the schloss sits on a ridge, not really a mountain. Though I could have said "in" the mountains I suppose

Yes, German and Dutch are alike... very a like in many words. You're right, sounds better with the schloss. Just more rifined. Yes, in the mountains, was possible too.

[Kenaz]

Reading this in English sounds...ick...too bad I don't remember German :l

I think German has more emphasis.... a lower "read out loud" beauty ;)

[David Burke]

I loved this lol I felt like a kid at story time :P kept a smile on my face the whole time lol great job

[Kenaz]

Kind of like a dark fairy tale haha

[David Burke]

Yes sir lol

[Muhammad M. Ibrahim]

You are Amazing! its nice and entertaining...

[Kenaz]

Thank you new friend

[Aaron the Baron]

This a unique subject, written so tenderly. Loved this write!

[Kenaz]

Thank you for reading

[Baby Ricochet]

Sorry, don't speak German. Cute story Kenaz

[Kenaz]

Thanks, Ricochet