The Geat King's Return

I wrote this poem after reading Beowulf and tried to structure the poem in a subjective way; I do not portray Beowulf as innately good, nor Grendel as innately bad. I remember this one being particularly hard to write, but similar to Scar's Soliloquy, it was a fun challenge to scribe this one.

I, the great Scop, have yet another adage to share

Come gather around to hear the truth, if you dare

For the unfinished tale and later analysis

Of the heroic Beowulf, and his noble “antics”

Who tore off the limb of the devilish Grendel

And who restored to glory Hrothgar’s beer-temple

Though armed with blade and shield alike,

His bravery and brains were his true might

He deflected the blasphemy-bullets from the “mighty” Unferth

It was not in his noble deeds where he found his worth

Instead he measured his success by the weight of his gold

Who, till the end, never lost his soul

Ah, but now the gears in your brain churning

Your flesh-mirrors are showing signs of worrying

This same one who killed trolls, dragons, and serpents from the sea,

Was this same protagonist, the greatest of the Geats?

He was the one that millions call hero?

This haughty, boastful, tyrannical-like Emperor Nero?

The same superfluous superman swooped down to save the day

Always had another question in mind: “How much will I be paid?”

Yes my kinsmen, tis the same man

The one born of Hygelac’s clan

The struggle of yours is also mine,

Was this man truly divine?

Or was he, only the right person at the right time?

A remorseful soul, seeking redemption for past crimes?

A brainless beast who needed to be pushed in the right direction?

Ultimately, are his attributes worthy of resurrection?

For in a world that pushes for the incognizant and personal

And is always surly and unmerciful,

Beowulf showed sacrifice and courage

His life was one filled with meaning and purpose

Although the adulation he acquired astounded and humbled him

He forever praised God, the deity who helped him win

So yes I too struggle with this character of Beowulf

For now, more than ever, it seems as though we need him

The world needs those who are willing to stand up for they believe in

Those who are proud of their accomplishments

Those who are willing to sacrifice and pay the price

Those who will give it all to do what is right

Yes, I join with the mourners at Beowulf’s funeral

And ask the heavens if they would be so kind,

To return the great king and send him down again

So that the broken values can be restored

And this spit-valve of mine may finally stop,

Boasting of the stories of old

And instead tell stories of the bold

That with thunderous trepidation the king can return

For we of the 21^st century have much to learn

But I also acknowledge that in the darker parts of the Earth

Another sinister chant may have been birthed

This one sung by the descendants of Cain

As they mourn Grendel and his mother, Beowulf’s bane

They profoundly preach and praise them both

Their lives of sacrifice are inspiring; all should take note

For they stood up to the horror-chants of man

They destroyed a mead-hall, and took their own stance

So in the end, there may be no heroes and villains

Simply those who act according to their will

For whether one’s life ends by a fire-giver’s talon

Or through painful decomposition

Beowulf taught to overcome temptation, sacrifice, and restore

And ultimately, to devote your life to something worth fighting for

But as Beowulf learned from his friends and foes,

Let us look to Gardener’s Grendel and see how the story unfolds!