Into the Wardrobe

Things seem to have slowed down in the Tolkien forum, so I thought that I'd try to help things get started up again. People often seem to have strong feelings about Tolkien's poetry, especially in The Lord of the Rings. It seems to have been one of the items that Lewis had some mixed feelings about, as well.

So...

What do you think?

You didn't have an option for "I love it!" so I voted that I like it. Especially the alliterative poetry.
My favorite poem is Errantry from the Adventures of Tom Bombadil.

What's your favorite of Tolkien's poems?

I like the poetry, though I don't always read it. Once for Halloween, my friend and I dressed up as elves and and sang the Ballad of Gil-galad as we walked through the streets. I think we scared the neighbors by saying "Mae Govannen" and "elen sila lumenn omentielvo" instead of trick or treat.

I love the poetry in LOTR. Mine is not an educated opinion at all. I am pretty much illiterate when it comes to poetry. So I have nothing intelligent to say about the poems themselves or why I like them. I am just very glad Tolkien put so much depth into the different cultures in his world that Gimli could stand and chant the history of Moria and Legolas could sing about Nimrodel and Amroth and each song has a different feeling to it. (see how inarticulate I am) I was totally enchanted when, in the middle of building tension in the plot, Strider tells the hobbits part of the Lay of Luthien. How perfect! A song and a love story right between the hair raising suspense and the gripping Black Rider attack. Good stuff. I love the elvish even though I have no idea what it means. I am probably slaughtering the pronunciation but I think it sounds nice.

Don't worry about spouting "educated opinions". It's enough that you like the poetry for itself. Poetry is meant to be enjoyed, not dissected. So I'm glad that you enjoy it without even worrying about why.

I love Tolkien's poetry. I really like Bilbo's bath song. Probably my favorite, though, is Sam's Song that he sings in the tower:

In western lands beneath the sun
The flowers may rise in spring
The trees may bud
The waters run
The merry finches sing
Or maybe 'tis a cloudless night
And swaying beeches bear
The Elven stars as jewels bright
Amid their branching hair

Though here at journey's end I lie
In darkness buried deep
Above all towers strong and high
Beyond all mountains steep
Above all shadows rides the sun
And stars forever dwell
I will not say the day is done
Nor bid the stars farewell


I also really like Snow-White. I had a problem with "Disney interference" at first, but I have gotten over it and now Snow-White is one of my favorites.