A stalwart knight and fair of face…for fighting he was famed
A gracious lady, waiting in the castle…had him surely tamed
Uprisings from neighboring countries… he was always called to quench
Still at home he wasn’t allowed in his own bedroom…bearing sweaty stench

He kept his castle protected…all around was fenced
Scurry thieves who chanced within…for entertainment were lynched
Early childhood taught him survival…he struck out on his own
Sometimes he had visions of a strange contraption…called a “phone”?

He provided for all his family…with the crossbow shooting quail
He dreamed of one day exploring the Far East…what an adventurous sail!
Atop the castle sailed his colors…on a decorative tome
It announced that Sir Alfric welcomed all…who near and far would roam

At times so tired he returned …it seemed his face was pale
Once he ventured far, so far…seeking his own grail
He stood strongly under... the present monarch’s reign
When he had to leave his family…this cause him so much pain!

nomadicrhymer

cool story Nomad,
and made more sense in rhyme than mine,
I like how you stretched verses so the rhyme would be more accompanied

GREAT WRITES EVERYONE!

Thank you Erik, Jacquii and Nomad, your comments are very much appreciated. It's a good challenge when you really have to dig deep to find the right stuff! Thanks for keeping me on my toes and making me work for what what I write just a little bit harder than I tend to do sometimes. It feels good to get back into the groove of it.

Congratz to being the first to rise to the challenge, Erik. Lindamay, great story. Nomad, I think you cheated...but it turned out pretty good. Sweaty knights. hehe.

Violence famed
Bloodlust quenched
My hunger tamed
I'm not yet lynched

Your soul's my own
See me and quail
The devil phones
And we set sail

To ever roam
Your lifeforce pale
This journey's tome
With a poison grail

Endless terror reign
Such a soothing stench
Eternity of pain
Your essence fenced

Amzy - short and to the point, huh? I like your last line "Your essence fenced"...interesting concept...

Endless terror "reignS"?

Explain please....the cheating? lol! and knights are always stinky and sweaty...part of the romantic package!

Nomad

amz this was awesome had great meaning in short lines

I may be a bit biased but I really liked Amzy's rise to the challenge - he never ceases to depress! LOL! Lindamay's was really terrific! I gotta agree with MsJ about yours, Erik - that last stanza was a beautiful wrap-up! Nomad - I think Amzy is referring to the fact that you used the words out of their original order, but still makes a good clear poem! (I think you meant Early childhood TAUGHT him survival?)
My attempt isn't bad, but I don't have the depth of emotion that Lindamay and Erik infuse their works with!

Great work, again, Tree. And yes, I was referring to the words out of order in NomadicRhymer's poem.

There should be no 'S' on reign. I felt that the state of terror could be challenged if there was an 's', but without it seems more like an accepted state of existence. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how it feels.

Aaah, I get it Amzy...and obviously I didn't read the instructions! lol...I shall attempt another "properly ordered".

Tree...thanks for the catch! yours had me laughing!! pretty funny!

Nomad