Discussion A Lament for 🧝Fingon

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

For all discussion related to this poem. Apologies for forgetting to do one for my first poem (Elbereth has been up on Taniquetil too long apparently). Thank you all for the love!

 

[Erurávennë]

Well you are just flowing with beautiful poetry..! 😍

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

This was a very lovely poem, and such a fitting lament for poor Fingon. So much grief followed his death. And yet there is some lightness in the rhythm of your words: they flow so easily. And there is triumph within the tragedy, for Fingon has left the darkness of Beleriand behind, and he died after having lived honourably, sparing no effort in fighting for the defence of his people and those he loved.

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

Well you are just flowing with beautiful poetry..! 😍

Haha, thank you! For whatever reason, I've felt inspired lately, so there may very well be more to come!

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

This was a very lovely poem, and such a fitting lament for poor Fingon. So much grief followed his death. And yet there is some lightness in the rhythm of your words: they flow so easily. And there is triumph within the tragedy, for Fingon has left the darkness of Beleriand behind, and he died after having lived honourably, sparing no effort in fighting for the defence of his people and those he loved.

Thank you. Yes, such a truly devastating death. He died as he lived, holding nothing back, offering his life for his people and for all of Arda, and there is indeed something sacred about that kind of a dignified death. I have long been quite captivated, actually, by Tolkien's very traditional views of death with dignity. In his books, cowardly life is a worse fate than an honorable death. And, in that narrative, Fingon's death was actually quite beautiful and amazing. However, it is still one of the saddest scenes ever. I tried to capture that triumph, too, mixed with the tragic parts. Not sure how well I did, but I'm glad you liked it!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I'll comment on both your poems here, because I loved them both!

With Ainulindale, I think my favorite thing about it was how it was kind of in four parts: a first part describing the overall concept for how the world was created, a second part describing the different elements of creation, a third part describing Melkor's dissonance, and a fourth part highlighting the opposite ideas existing at the same time in the world. The beginning and end are both conceptual and remind us of the themes of the story. Very well done in creating a cohesive train of thought like that!

And your Lament for Fingon poem was very moving! It sure is painful to be reminded of all the details of how his death went down. It is, as you said, one of the most devastating deaths in The Silmarillion. And I liked your references to the Valar in it. Asking Manwë to "breathe him rest" might be the most touching part for me.

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

I'll comment on both your poems here, because I loved them both!

Thank you!

With Ainulindale, I think my favorite thing about it was how it was kind of in four parts: a first part describing the overall concept for how the world was created, a second part describing the different elements of creation, a third part describing Melkor's dissonance, and a fourth part highlighting the opposite ideas existing at the same time in the world. The beginning and end are both conceptual and remind us of the themes of the story. Very well done in creating a cohesive train of thought like that!

I'm glad you picked up on that! Yes, I think there were different stages to it, in some sense, and I've always loved all the different aspects, how the music brought to life everything, and then how even the most evil or dissonant music could still be included in the Great Music. It's always kind of fascinated me, and I think it's a really beautiful way to see the world, even that as bad the choices we can make, there can still be goodness and light that comes out of it, that surrounds it, that includes it. I suppose that part of Ainulindale has always made me kind of think it's Iluvatar telling the Elves, no matter how bad this gets, I can still do something with it. And I've kind of always thought that was a really good reminder, and super relevant, as a Christian. Thank you!

And your Lament for Fingon poem was very moving! It sure is painful to be reminded of all the details of how his death went down. It is, as you said, one of the most devastating deaths in The Silmarillion. And I liked your references to the Valar in it. Asking Manwë to "breathe him rest" might be the most touching part for me.

Aww, thanks! Yes, definitely an absolutely crushing death, and I'm glad that the lament could pay some homage to that. Oh, thank you! Yes, I thought it would be quite plausible for the Elves to ask that he be welcomed or comforted by the Valar, especially because of the very harsh and painful circumstances of his death. I love that line, too! Thank you!