Islamondo: A Poetic Fantasy

 

Islamondo

A Poetic Fantasy

By Alison Lawrence

Introduction

This is the tale of two young men,

who sailed the seas beyond their ken

Full of hope and full of cheer,

not knowing much of dark nor fear

They had to steer their tossing vessel,

to prove their strength and test their mettle

Their true Creator was their guide,

through every trial and test and tide

Although their hearts near failed and quaked,

they saw that He did not forsake

But as He led them through each test,

He helped them to attain their best

And when at last He brought them home,

They saw they'd never been alone

And so I pray that my God would,

help this tale be all it should.

Chapter One

Venturer and Emir Set out

Venturer set forth on a perfect day,

with the wind behind him, he followed the way

Of many a seafarer gone before,

to adventure guided by tales and lore

In the spring of his robust and carefree life,

having neither own home, children, or wife

A youth who was tall, brown-skinned, and fair,

emanating to all a joy-filled air

By his side, his companion, Emir the Bold,

bronzed by the sun, had left his own fold

Now leaving their island nation behind,

to prove themselves and adventures to find

With Unos behind them, green-jeweled in the sun,

they tacked left and right, with the fresh wind to run

Venturer says to Emir, don't you know,

I'll be missing my Efa, for I love her so

She's a woman I want to keep for life,

and when we return, I'll make her my wife

Said Emir, all solemn, as he trimmed a sail,

My Becca is waiting, her love will not fail

But first it was needful to prove their mettle,

to explore and adventure before they could settle

Come along, dear reader, come venture with me,

to explore Islamondo so fair upon sea.

Chapter Two

The Journey to Deuze

Pouring oe'r his aged map and chart,

decided Venturer with Deuze to start

A fair way off was Deuze to the East,

first through the waters of fearsome sea beast

Our joyful youth had no fear in his heart,

as his hopeful adventure was just at its start

He saw emerald sea snakes sail on the waves,

and yet more of creation's wild creatures he craved

He loved his Creator and all He had made,

at the bow he stood tall, resolute, unafraid

Solid helper, Emir, spoke of caution and care,

for storm clouds raced up and the beast was somewhere

They furled the sails, made sure all was fast,

then ran from the storm and reached calm at last

But the leaden gray surface had led them astray,

a serpentine neck rose with hissing and spray

Venturer's heart surged with dread and awe,

then he grabbed an arrow and made ready to draw

Strong defender Emir took his stand in the stern,

pierced the flesh of the beast, then away they did turn

Unfurling the sails in great haste they did flee,

the roaring sea lizard sank in broiling red sea

Relieved and grateful, youths knelt at the mast,

Survived storm and monster, present danger has passed.

Chapter Three

Deuze

At last all spent yet glad they came,

to an isle whose ruby gems gave fame

Massive cliffs rose from water green,

and a large cove to anchor could be seen

On their tender, they rowed ashore.

What new surprises lay in store?

Said Venturer, it wonders me,

the beach is empty, just a goabab tree

Let's proceed with caution these rocks to climb,

said Emir as they followed a path worn by time

Now, dear reader, I'll tell what happened next,

When they came to the top, they were solely vexed

For before them spread a mine so wide,

and men were digging into its side

Men quite short and stocky, strong,

with coal black hair and beards not long

They dug and dug to find their treasure, 

not finding time for rest or leisure

At last one Donal came across,

he was the ruby mining boss

Why don't you come and join us boys?

Leave your pleasure and your toys

Come and see what real men do,

perhaps you'll find a ruby too

So taking picks, our boys agreed,

for they were tough and strong indeed

So for some weeks, they worked on Deuze,

ate with the men, shared all their news

Then Venturer, he had a shock,

he found a precious ruby rock

But when he sought to take it home,

the men around him picked up stones

Emir the Bold rose to full height,

but even then, a stone took flight

Our brave Venturer punched one sore, 

and Emir knocked one to the floor

But many men were on their way,

so our two friends ran fast away

along the path down to the beach,

away from greedy Deuzite's reach

The youth outran the shorter men,

and soon were in their boat again

Though muscles ached and gashes bled,

our hero held his ruby red

A gemstone gained through honest labour,

that spoke of blessing and of favour.

Chapter Four

Journey to Troise

Now, away from Deuze they traveled fast,

for when bold Emir climbed the mast

He saw that four mad Deuzite men 

were rowing hard to capture them

Then Venturer trimmed the sails just right

for daggers glinted silver bright

His prayers went up with extra sail,

The Deuzite men were on their tail

Our happy youth near lost his joy,

for he was but an oe'r grown boy

And bold Emir felt shaky too,

my dearest reader, you would too

Now they could see the whites of eyes,

when fresh north wind rushed through the skies

Pushing them where they wanted to go,

down to Troise, away from their foe

Now the Deuzites rowed hard, but were no match, the boat with fine mainsail, they couldn't catch

The young men were happy, hopeful, and cheered,

as they ate their provender and forwards steered

I wonder what Efa is doing now, 

pondered Ven as he relaxed in the prow

And I wonder if Becca is dreaming of me,

wondered Emir as he gazed out to sea

Now after some days of peaceful sailing,

with nary a monster or Deuzites' railing

Appeared the shore of lovely Troise,

a welcome sight to travel worn boys.

Chapter Five

Troise

And so dear reader, we have arrived,

at isle of Troise and both alive

An island grand of beauty bright,

when first it greets your eager sight

The air around holds foreign power,

for ruling witch reigns in her bower

But our young men knew none of this,

and first could only see its bliss

They landed there on sand like gold,

and a beautiful people did behold

Maidens and men with hair to their feet,

With emerald eyes, and smiles very sweet

Ven and Emir received each a flower,

before being led to the witch's bower

Flowers of sunshine red and gold,

could never match her beauty bold

She studied them with practiced air,

and saw that they were very fair

With gleam in eye they didn't see,

she thought, the tall one's right for me

Now fruit and drinks were carried in,

and men and maidens all did sing

The songs they sang were strange and lovely,

And lulled, our Ven grew slowly drowsy

Emir ate of the luscious food,

and asked for more: it was so good

The dancing started in the bower,

the witch drew Ven with evil power

But when her arms around him came,

he cried out, "no!", said Efa's name

The witch's power was strong and evil,

but his love for Efa was true and regal

He pushed her away, stood proud and tall,

and she found that her power could not draw him at all

Bold Emir had his own trouble,

two had grabbed him, so he had double

Emir remembered his Becca so fair,

so he pushed away twins with their glossy gold hair

Then they turned and ran back to the shore,

the witch's power could hold them no more

No longer to stay in that tempting land,

for to Efa and Becca they'd promised their hand.

Chapter Six

Journey to Kwart

And now with great sense of Divine protection,

they sailed solidly on in southwards direction

Dear reader, I must say, this chapter will be short,

for the boat becalmed just halfway to Kwart

The wind which 'til now had been hard and fast,

now died right away, sails drooped at the mast

With miles of seascape all about 

and water that would soon run out

Our heroes now could go nowhere,

and lifted up there hearts in prayer

With lines they caught great uloki fish,

and these made a fine and hearty dish

But then the wait became a chore,

they prayed a bit and grumbled more

Some rain relieved the thirsty boys 

who began to wish they'd stayed in Troise

When long wished wind came whistling up,

the two rejoiced to be unstuck

And sailed again on their merry way,

Soon spied strange Kwart where they would stay.

Chapter Seven

Kwart

As Venturer dropped anchor down,

his usual smile turned to a frown

Emir, he said, let us take care,

of trial and trouble, we've had our share

And so they took their bows ashore,

to carry with them on their tour

The water deep and navy blue,

held monster eels and sea bats too

Before them stretched a rocky beach,

which they battled through the eels to reach

Once on the shore, they stepped with care,

for needle worms were everywhere

They climbed the crags to get a look,

and spied an island all forsook

The only creatures that were there,

We're creeping round or up in air

Some looked to be a dangerous lot,

and Ven raised bow to take a shot

But Emir cautioned not to yet,

in case the lizards grew upset

Instead they took another route,

and marveled at large birds called loute

A bare and barren isle they'd found,

no grass, no trees, no flowers round

At night they did with shorter sleep,

for watch for lizards they must keep

But soon our bold and joyful pair,

grew tired and bored and felt despair 

No two-legged creatures, no upright race,

it was a lonely, dreary place

They wondered if there was some land,

with friendly folk and vistas grand

Or was their Unos the only isle,

with pleasant people and happy smiles?

Now they'd become more worldly wise,

and some bright spark had left their eyes

Would they find joy within again? 

Or would the doldrums capture them?

Chapter Eight

Journey to Quinzo

Soon after lizards them did test,

they thought that leaving would be best

And so they once more hoisted sail,

to follow after seabirds' trail

North-west was the way to go,

to reach the next isle, large Quinzo

Now wind that had before been gone,

rose up terrific, very strong

And as they battled every wave,

the calm, still ocean they sore craved

They feared the boat would come undone,

that they would lose their lives ere long

Our boys, now men, did all they knew,

and prayed with every large wave too

Yet still the storm raged on all round,

they hoped that land would soon be found

They trusted in Creator's might,

to calm the storm and bring them light

As sky grew clear with lessening rain,

they dared to smile and hope again

Dear reader, I know that you have too,

survived hard storms which ne'er broke you

And now give thanks with these young men,

their God was in the boat with them.

Chapter Nine

Quinzo

Now as they sailed, they spied once more,

a foreign and an unknown shore

Venturer said, I hope my friend

that here we will not meet our end

For so far, we have met just foe,

and pray we will not meet more woe

Emir looked through his viewing glass,

then looked again, for he saw, grass

And trees and vines and so much more,

more beauty than he'd seen before

Joyful Ven looked through as well,

and what he saw made his heart swell

Golden light lit their way straight,

to harbour and a bright, white gate

They sensed no danger, dread, nor gloom,

as they quickly shifted sailboat's boom

And drifted to the welcome harbour,

beyond which lay a verdant arbour

Now, dear reader, I'll try relay,

what Ven and Emir saw that day

A cloud of shining fairy folk, 

came from the arbour and one spoke

Welcome to our bright, fair isle,

feel free to tarry for a while

Let's go to Elder Wise in Heart,

Who's watched your journey from its start 

And so they went to sage abode,

as fairies on their ponies rode

Rutha waved her silver wand,

and bluebells sang around the pond

Linet on her dancing steed,

brought them fruits and fairy mead

All round was fair, joy and sweet,

white pixie flowers about their feet

Elder Malon bid them enter,

his peaceful home at island's center

And there the sage gave them advice,

but first, he gave them all things nice

To strengthen weary bones and soul,

before they must with ocean roll

He said, do take care my brave young men,

of wild beast's lair and danger's den

Good and evil lie on your path,

so stay in light and fear the dark

When the day came to depart,

they thanked their friends with gladdened heart

Now all things good their sail ship carried,

and how they wished they could have tarried

But now to Sixa they must sail,

along the mariner's olden trail.

Chapter Ten

Journey to Sixa

So, on the waters they did roam,

missing loves and missing home

Just two more isles said joyful Ven,

and then we will go home again

Emir sat smiling as he thought,

of Becca and the love she brought

Our Ven, he thought of Efa fine,

and longed to marry neath the vines

But now, I'm sorry I must tell,

that they began to feel unwell

Emir, then Ven began to ache,

their foreheads burned, they had to make

Quick journeys to the sailboat's side,

to lose their meals upon the tide

Fair Quinza had not passed this ill,

the fevers, pain, and horrid chill

No, it had come as trial and test,

to shape them 'til they reached their best

Finding cordials from Quinza dear,

they managed to keep their poor heads clear

Enough to reach near Sixa, fore,

they fell down spent upon its shore.

Chapter Eleven

Sixa

And now dear reader, I will share,

our heroes, they slept unaware

Now Sixa is a lovely place,

not fair as Quinzo nor its race

The people there are called the dwarves,

as I am sure you've heard before

Hard-working, feisty, loyal, good,

so often they're misunderstood

Mining, farming, fishing too,

they did all that they had to do

On this day a dwarf called Blenda,

went seeking after fish for supper

A pretty young woman with long black hair,

she loved the beach and fresh sea air

As she walked along with rod in hand,

she stumbled over Ven in sand

Then ran for father, brothers too,

they all would know just what to do

So Ven and Emir were borne along,

by hands worked rough, caring, strong

They laid them on some soft, dry straw,

Then Blenda went some brew to draw

Ven groaned softly when he came round,

his eyes grew big at what he found

Emir woke too and was surprised,

to find the dwarves had saved their lives

Blenda took good care of them,

the brew she gave brought strength again

Her brothers too, came, sat around,

and told them tales of underground

A young dwarf, Blade, was often there, 

and helped sweet Blenda with their care

Some weeks they stayed, and now they saw,

what they had never seen before

They'd judged the dwarves as mean and rude,

grumpy, selfish, slow and crude

Now they repented of their crime, 

and had a very splendid time

Poor Blenda cried when all alone,

when Ven told of his love back home

She'd fallen hard for our young friend,

and weeped that they must go again

And on that sad day's dismal dawning,

her father gave a solemn warning

that they beware of Septa isle,

for he'd heard rumours for a while

a gloomy mist rose from its foam,

and dwarves would rather stay at home

Our heroes promised to be aware,

and left the dwarves of Sixa's care

Now dear reader, fore we go, I must tell you of Blenda.

She soon saw Blade, his love so true, and now they are together.

Chapter Twelve

Journey to Septa

In this happy interlude,

we won't let solemn thoughts intrude

The sun was sunny, water warm 

no ugly clouds, no fierce gray storm

They swam and floated, fished and read,

and thanks to hosts were amply fed

Just one last isle, said Ven to friend,

soon our journey will be at end

I'll miss our friends of Quinza, Sixa,

they've somehow made our lives the richer

Yes, said Emir, and now we know,

that good exists alongside woe

And one day with our loves will go,

to both these lovely things we'll show

It wasn't very long before,

they caught a glimpse of distant shore

But closer to the isle they got,

they wondered whether they should not

sail on by and not stop there,

recalling wise dwarf's words of care

For strange gray mist rose all around,

and they could hear a howling sound

Emir thought of the witch at Troise,

and wondered at the chilling noise

Oh Ven, he said, what should we do?

sail on by, or battle through?

Well, said Ven, as you know,

we need water so we'll go

But quick as can, we will depart,

and listen to our trembling hearts.

Chapter Thirteen

Septa

Oh dear reader, I'm not sure, 

how to tell what lay before

Our two friends crept cautious round,

the island full of awful sound

In boding forest, they went creeping,

and found the water they were seeking

The mist sank down worse than before,

They knew not where lay island's shore

Then stumbling on into a clearing,

and sulphur eyes moved t'ward them glaring

Ven yelled and steadied bow real quick,

and Emir grasped a close by stick

But they knew not, a trap was laid,

and all around them werewolf slaves

As well as werelions, tigers too,

there was not much our friends could do

With fearsome roars the beasts attacked,

broke the bows and jeered and spat

Our heroes now could see no hope,

but still they prayed whilst bound by rope

Then through the rain and through the mist,

were taken to a crag fortress

There vile monster, huge and sinful,

reigned from his pile; was dreadful evil

And he enjoyed nothing more,

than torturing all who crossed his door

Poor Ven and Emir lay trembling, sore,

and sure that they could take no more

They prayed and sang to spirits raise,

but then the monster grew more crazed

At last, when all had grown real still,

they heard a sound on window sill

A startling light, bars hewn asunder 

an angel being with looks of thunder

Our heroes gasped, but saw just good,

and so with shaking legs they stood

The angel broke through prison's gate,

and smote the monster as he ate

The beasts on guard, they passed right through,

nothing more they had to do

For angel shone with such bright light,

that all dark foe were robbed of sight

Our heroes found themselves at shore 

but their heavenly guide was seen no more. 

Chapter Fourteen

Journey home

And now I tell with some relief,

here ends for now our heroes grief

Despite wounds, aches and pains,

they soon set out to sail again

No evil tried to barr their way,

as they gave thanks on that new day

And marveled at how they'd been spared,

out of dark and deep despair

Our God does care, said Ven to Emir,

and stayed with us this whole adventure

Said bold Emir, now tacking right,

we two have journeyed through dark night

We started out both young, untried,

but now have conquered side by side

Joyful Ven stood at ship's port,

and thought of all the change been wrought

As he gazed at distant shore,

knew he'd been changed forevermore.

Chapter Fifteen

Unos

And now dear reader, the end draws near,

Our two heroes sent up a cheer

For here they were at sailing's end,

as they rode on sunshine round the bend

Waiting on the harbour stair,

Efa and Becca, proud and fair

Ven dropped anchor one more time,

and they went ashore, tall and fine

No more youth but men indeed,

tried and tested, refined and freed.

Epilogue

Oh dear reader, I hardly know,

if I should leave you here and go

Or should I think of more to say,

to keep you reading, make you stay?

No, for I think that you must know,

what lies ahead for our heroes

Weddings under sun and vines,

love and laughter, happy times

Sure, there will be further tests,

and life will lack its fun and jests

But in my writer's mind I see,

another voyage out to sea

****

Bon voyage!

Ps. My youngest daughters were very invested in this tale, and came up with several ideas. They also drew two of the illustrations. See if you can find my three daughters, Belinda, Lynette, and Ruth in the story.

Also, this was intended as a fun exercise. I realize that it is far from perfect in the poetical sense and that rhyming can appear forced at times due to its limitations.

Thanks for reading.

 

Love and blessings.