I was fortunate to be able to attend the Bardic Championship competition in Isle du Dragon Dormant in February of 2024, and while my life did not permit me to commit to competing and potentially needing to serve as a champion, I helped run the competition and did some light entertaining in between rounds. I was so moved by the first round entries and the second round themes, that I composed this simple couplets ode on the spot and performed it before the finals.
In the end, Astrapia and Reinhardt were chosen Consort and Soverign's bards respectively, and very well done, too!
"An Ode to the Bards"
Gavin Kent, AS LVIII
O’ gentle friends, pray gather nigh, and lend to me your time;
For to renown the Eastern bards: their muse, their tone, their rhyme.
The Tyger throne – complete – have come, all to be entertained;
As bards of skill and passion rise, favor for to gain.
Sleep little birds with Gaelic lilt, and rise on Eithne’s voice,
Vive l’amour with James’ lass, ere she makes her choice.
King Orpheo, Astrapia tells, he did win back his love,
And Eginhard of queen whose fame: a rose white as a dove.
Should we remain, or shuffle off? Ponders Bobby Tytes,
And modal reels upon the gut, Jon plays for maids and knights.
Together we are lulled to rest, by Sefa’s lullabye,
Then roused by Meggie’s gathering in (and wishes gone awry)
Reinhardt, sleepless, late at night calls us to Pennsic war,
And Kiril with joy, a’la Santé, to sail and arms and oars.
They sing and play, and they declaim; spin magic to our ears.
Moving us to laughter, stir hearts and beckon tears.
Joy, the Sun, the SCA, and songs that speak of loss.
Light and Love and Bravery, friendship at any cost.
Victors all, have here appeared, and brought to us their gifts,
Never should striving among bards be permitted to cause rifts.
Be assure’ed, Tyger throne: Your Mighty Selves shall be
Well served in Bardic interests, and Eastern Majesty.
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