This started as a class project to create a narrative poem at least 50 lines long. Currently, the poem is just shy of 250 hundred lines (though not as polished as the ones I am posting here). These are the first 101 lines of the poe as it stands now. I welcome all your comments and hope to post at least the next 100 lines soon.



In Castle Tree he did reign as king
Birds, his subjects, of him did sing

Kok-Kol the Raven, clever beaked lord
With due tribute he'd gained mighty a hoard

And most of the birds were glad in that day
For food was aplenty and times still gay

Yet above the woodlands full hanging leaves
Not all were contented 'neath wooded eaves

For pride swells oft times in feather-ed breast
That deep rooted sin who never will rest

It alighted now in Falcon's broad chest
And he began to account him not the less

For Raven was no great singer but cawed
In ways of the hunt his method was flawed

His looks were unlovely, all black and dun
He'd been to no wars, no victories won

Why Raven not Falcon did birds call lord?
"Why to him and not I are praises poured?"

So he spoke towards a gathering of birds  
They heard him speak many feigned wizened words 

Any several were turned, Eagle not the least
They ate of his lies as fat filling feast

Yet not all were swayed, so easy deceived
Still loyal to Raven, King in trees leafed 

Magpie was chief and Crow also held true
They twittered and cawed and thought what to do

To their Lord and King these tidings need come
So the twain spread their wings, journey begun

Then quick they flew to their Lord's Castle Tree
On high branch perched Raven, so he could see

all four corners of his wide spanning realm
from the lowest bush to the highest elm

And Magpie spoke to his cousin and King
Warning the danger Falcon's words would bring

Then Raven set down his long piece of twine
He perceived his lordship now on the line

For long he sat still and said not a word
He thought and thought that clever King 'o Bird

Till at long last he turned to them and said
"I have a thought, that's popped right in my head!

"Go now and find this would-be-king, Falcon
"The one who would see my royalty undone

"Fetch him here quick! I'll broke no delay
"I wish him brought here 'for the end of the day!"

So off sped Magpie like he was a swift
Off to fetch the one who'd gone so adrift

And Falcon he found with great throng of Aves
Those foolish followers, everyone knaves

Then Magpie called Falcon, that bird so proud
He singled him out from miss-guided crowed

And so called him to come, that would-be-king
To Him, true lord, of whom songbirds did sing

So Falcon did come to high Castle Tree
And many did follow for want to see

what tumults befell usurper and Lord
The trees grew silent twixt ocean and fjord

Falcon alighted upon highest bough  
To Great Lord Raven he refused to cow

But Raven blanched not, nor came to a rage
What offense he felt he was quick to cage

Then quickly he turned, and as calm was able
He cawed to Falcon atop the maple

"I hear you besmirch and bemoan my rule
"You speak against me and call me a fool!

"Have I been unjust or ruled as one fey?
"Have I been so cruel? Lead subjects astray?

"Why then do you in MY high Castle Tree
ask I, your lord, to be replaced by thee?"

The Falcon stood tall and great he did seem
And now with haughty word began his scheme

"Raven, high lord of all birds may you be
"yet why this is so I can't plainly see

"You make no lovely notes, no songbird you
"No skill as a huntsman, you have not a clue

"You're not largest nor swiftest of wing
"Your plumage is dull, so why are YOU king?"

Raven sat calm and then gave a reproach
"What you say is true as you rant and boast

"I'm not over large, my raiment is dull
"The notes I make are more coarse than a gull

"Hunting exploits? Wrought with futility
"But you have misjudged one ability

"Of all who fly with wings, swiftest am I!
"Like lightning from heaven, I through the sky

"Why so fast am I that this I decree:
"He who best my speed shall then succeed me" 

The Falcon's crowd laughed, for every bird knew
Falcon was fastest of all beast who flew

"Then a challenge I raise" Falcon began
"A race to see who should rule the bird clan"

"That's well, that's good" clever Raven replied
"A grand race we'll have that will decide

"which bird shall be king and honor receive
"One shall be crowned the other left to grieve

"But this condition I add" Raven said
"That if I'm the one who comes out ahead

"you bow to me Falcon, your will my own
"Only for this shall I gamble my thrown"

To this he agreed without half a thought
The idea of defeat bothered him not