All images created by Rebekah Marshall’s prompts using AI on Gencraft.com website.
To lead with grace
requires steel humility
when praised
and iron confidence
when cursed,
for either extreme
wields the awful
temptation to unsettle
the serene pond of self.
To yield to right
and bow only to integrity
fills her people
with love overflowing,
willing to sacrifice all
in service to her rule.
(Poem 229 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)
The women of this world
create a complicated
kaleidoscope of mothers
and sisters who must
begrudgingly tolerate the
men who share their space.
From the bawdy pirate queen
with her many wives and
loyal crew of rowdy marauders,
to the gentlest soul Helaena,
unwilling to harm another,
but unafraid to speak the truth.
From the queen who ever was,
whose unwavering hope inspires
a new world of dragon riders,
to the queen who agonizes
over the decision to sacrifice
her own flesh and blood for
the sake of a kingdom of peace.
From the Lady who searches
the moors and her soul for the
dragon she believes is destiny,
to the White Worm who knows
the underbelly of hunger and
thirst and clawing her way from
the trench to the castle better
than most can begin to fathom.
@Home Studio – 229th poem of the year (after watching House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 8.)
Condal, Ryan and George R. R. Martin, creators. House of the Dragon. HBO Entertainment and Warner Bros., 2024.
Runner ups for the women of dragons photos to accompany my poem:
(Poem 209 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)
One person’s junk is
another person’s treasure,
or so I’ve been told by those
who love garage saling.
Hunting for a steal is
the name of the game;
if you’re brave enough to play,
you might just get hooked.
A hover board for free,
though no way to charge it.
Harry Potter jelly beans,
if you like the taste of vomit.
Bring a wad of cash;
dollar bills are the best.
Don’t be shy about haggling;
your prize will be the experience.
@Home Studio – 209th poem of the year (My granddaughter Queen Charlotte went garage saling with my Great Aunt Eva, who is the real garage sale queen.)
Runner ups for the Garage Sale Queen photos to accompany my poem:
(Poem 205 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)
“With the king’s promises…you can feed the mouths of ghosts.” Mrs. Hammer
While the Sea Snake grieves
the Queen Who Never Was,
his granddaughter must lift
his gaze beyond self-pity and
remind him of the duty he owes
his queen who is blood and fire.
While the King Consort slowly
descends into madness amidst
strangers and ghosts at Harrenhal,
memories and regrets haunt
his dreams stealing his peace,
darke magic weakening him.
While the Usurper King lays
melted by dragon fire and pain,
the lowborn people starve and
wale and weep as one because
the gates are barred and the
stores are empty as a dry well.
@Home Studio – 205th poem of the year (after watching House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5.)
Condal, Ryan and George R. R. Martin, creators. House of the Dragon. HBO Entertainment and Warner Bros., 2024.
Runner ups for the Episode 5 photos to accompany my poem:
(Poem 197 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)
The Hatfields and McCoys-like family feud
that was the Brackens and Blackwoods
paled in comparison to the bodies used
for fodder by those fighting for the throne.
The Dance of Dragons has begun in earnest,
despite the unspoken awareness by all that
bloodshed of kin by kin is a most appalling
form of violence to the gods of their ancestors.
While the men gnash their teeth, and their
dragons chomp at the bit, the women kneel
before alters of stone lighting candles and
whisper of impossible peace, the intent of
kings, and the wishes for undoing wrongs.
@Home Studio – 197th poem of the year (after watching House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3.)
Condal, Ryan and George R. R. Martin, creators. House of the Dragon. HBO Entertainment and Warner Bros., 2024.
Runner ups for the Queen Prayers photos to accompany my poem:
(Poem 88 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)
Hadassah’s fate was sealed by her beauty,
to become queen of the Persians and Medes.
Though Jewish blood ran through her veins,
Ahasuerus supplied all her needs.
She was put in place to save her people
from Haman, a vindictive and hateful man
who wanted to kill her entire race
with a conniving and evil master plan.
By purim’s luck, the date was set
to exterminate every Jew in the land,
but Esther’s favor with the king bought grace,
which allowed her people to take a stand.
And on that day so long ago
when soldiers attacked the Jews,
they were ready with weapons to defend themselves
thanks to the king’s brave Jewish muse.
@Home Studio – 88th poem of the year
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