Back in October, I took part in NYC Midnight's Rhyming Story Challenge. Although I made it through the heat stage, I was unable to take part further. However, I am still very proud of what I produced, so I decided to share it here and hopefully draw people's attentions to how fun taking part in NYC Midnight's challenges can be.
For another entry I made in their Rhyming Story Challenge, click here!
The Power Of A Ring
(Prompt: Action & Adventure / Underestimate / Useless)
By Lee Rae
The Power of a Ring
Come gather round and hear my tale
of a battle often fought,
To slay a beast that lays in wake –
with a message to be taught!
Our Hero was an average soul -
As all the best men are -
The Beast was one that stalked the earth
and hunted near and far.
This battle, not of bloodshed stained,
but one with rival shrewd -
One not fought with weaponry
but nerve and fortitude
Our Hero, weak and wavering,
was ready for a rest
from daily battles won and lost
along our lifelong quest.
A sofa, soft and welcoming,
and he, worn-out and scarred.
Our Hero sought its soothing warmth -
He reclined and dropped his guard
Now something deep began to stir
that sensed our brave Hero.
The weight of life awakening
that darkness from below.
The beast amassed its armoury
of traumas, fears and doubts.
Our Hero slipped and so began
The Battle of the Couch.
Its tendrils curled from out the cracks
and pinned him softly down
and through its touch his spirit drained -
His blaze began to drown.
And tighter yet they grew and grew
but the worst was yet to come.
The shadows wrapping ‘round his heart -
Our Hero turning numb
Setting up its final blow,
Unwavering and ruthless,
The Beast whispered into his ear -
“Useless… Useless…
Useless.”
Our Hero’s mind turned cold and void
of joys he couldn’t remember.
His inner flame, faltering,
faded to an ember
Our Hero’s strength was all but gone,
his attempts to scream out, fruitless.
The monster whispered once again -
“Useless, useless, useless...”
But then a noise, from far but near.
A soft and distant chime
rang out to him and hooked his soul -
And then a second time.
The high-pitched tone was calling him
and urging him to fight.
A song among the silent dark
and just a flash of light.
He felt the strength rise deep inside,
the call was all it took -
That chime that promised comradeship
and the rumble as it shook.
His confidence drew out its sword.
His self-respect was next.
His reason swung its battleaxe.
His hope began to flex.
Bidden forth by tinny song,
they rallied one-by-one.
But this fight was but our Hero’s fight -
His battle to be won.
His strength renewed, his shoulders freed
and burdens pruned and shared,
with all this power kindling deep,
The Beast was unprepared
Our Hero Breathed in deep and slow,
a calmness on his face.
He pulled and fought and wrenched and heaved
and ripped from its embrace
He grabbed the light to read its words.
Our Hero caught his breath.
The message that had salvaged him
and brought him back from death
He let a sigh and opened it
to see what it did say,
the message that had brought him back,
“Hey m8, r u ok?”
One little check was all it took,
to give the strength he lacked.
The final push to slay the beast -
Or at least to hold it back
Take heed of this, come one, come all,
whether pauper or a king,
Ne’er underestimate, my friends,
the power of a ring.