This is presented in fairy tale form, but this is not fantasy. This is based on a true story, no happy ending. A tale of woe, and a tale of warning. The tale of Sir DaVied, the musical wizard, and the dragon he was fated to battle for seven (7) years. Sir DaVied fought bravely, and fully accepted that this battle was his responsibility. This tale is not told lightly, but with genuine sadness, and enduring love.
and talent 100 fold
he was a keyboard wizard
who conjured hard won magic
on a daily basis
riding persistent sentry
over his mighty sleeping dragon
keeping it at bay
protecting himself and loved ones
from its ravaging fire
this dragon had held him captive
for a number of years
having overtaken him one day
in a careless moment of weakness
when this wizard had been foolish
and let down his guard
but the brave wizard
Sir DaVied as he was known
had again found his courage
and fought back the dragon
driving it into submission
difficult and tentative as it was
sadly though
the cunning dragon
would not be held down
and in a moment
when the wizard’s vigilence
had sadly waned
the dragon pulled Sir DaVied
once more under his evil spell
on this fateful day
the wizard’s infectious laughter
had become infected lunacy
his beautiful dreams
had again become dread
as the nightmares returned
the dragon imprisoned the wizard
in its dark and haunted lair
it was reported
Sir DaVied’s rants
could be clearly heard
above the bustle
of the homeward privileged
that passed unaware
of the wizard’s dilemma
the battle had raged
coarse rants and ramblings
rose from the rancid shadows
until in final desperation
fetid hands lit the fateful fire
that brought to boil
the white magic potion
of the wizard’s deliverance
he’d slipped the cold steel
into the froth of sweet promise
still warm with transformation
and drew the white magic potion
into the glassen’d vessel
of ultimate escape
tied and tapped into submission
distraught from battle
this magical musical wizard
impaled his demons
with the dragon’s dagger
hoping the potion
would drive back the dragon
saving himself yet again
but not this time
no deliverance this time
the dragon claimed the wizard
as silver-white dreams
carried him away
the wizard was gone
gone on his white horse
for his final ride
to the realm of no return
now the wizard’s castle
is in abandoned disarray
no lights to stave off darkness
the piano is broken-keyed
caked with time snd neglect
no more does the wizard
descend the marble stairs
and glide the black lacquered bench
nor lay hands on the polished ivory
to control the mighty Steinway
no more does he confidently caress
and coax those keys to his commands
no more do the beautiful strains
of the gold-framed spiral-string soundboard
waft tenderly up the staircase
or ring proudly from the atrium
no, the wizard DaVied has passed
and with him, the music has died
rob kistner © 2021
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How sad the wizard is gone and the keys are now silent. Love your take on the prompt!
Thank you Susie…
A beautiful ode to the fight for life your piano man friend fought. It is always so hard to watch those we love lose that fight, but they are still beautiful warriors indeed. I love the way you did this poem Rob! Magnificent and true to his courage!
Thank you Carrie…
A marvelous tale indeed, woven with your own special brand of magic, Rob. At the end I had to take myself to YouTube and Don McLean singing “The Day the Music Died”. It seemed appropriate.
Thank you Bev, very much… 🙂
I’ve seen the needle and damage done….
As a recovering person myself, though my dragon was different, I know how hard it is to get straight, and that dragon will try every trick in the book to get you back. He never tires of trying.
Bravo Shay, stay strong!
All of your hard ‘C’ sounds are musical – that is so good! You ‘play’ the piano with your words.
Thank you Zander…
This is a classic tale Rob, complete with horror mystery and the Harry Porter magic weaved into it. You cleverly ended it directly related to the prompt picture, topped all along with a fantastic write to accompany it. Perfect!
Hank
Thank you Hank…
A beautiful ode for a fallen friend. It is timely, and deserving.
Thank you Kenyanito…
“he was a keyboard wizard
who conjured hard won magic
on a daily basis”
I’d like to remember his this way
Happy Sunday Rob
Much love…
Thank you Gillena… 🙂
This is masterfully penned. You have captured the fight for survival by the knight and his dragon. So sad the music has died but, his memory lives on through your words. Gone from this realm but,
transformed in the sky world.
That’s right True… 🙂 thank you. 🙂
“could be clearly heard
above the bustle
of the homeward privileged” – this is intriguing language, music within the music of your poem!
Thank you qbit…
I’m sorry he lost the battle, Rob, and the world lost his light.
Thank you Lisa. It has been a long time, but he is still missed, and the broken piano prompt made me think of him.
Equating the broken piano with your dear friend, a broken man, was inspired. Gorgeous poetry, Rob.
Thank you Helen.
So sad. I love this stanza:
he’d slipped the cold steel
into the froth of sweet promise
still warm with transformation
and drew the white magic potion
into the glassen’d vessel
of ultimate escape
So very sad Sara…