In Memory of Arda's Lights, By Death Extinguished

Black the night of grieving,
In Arda where the shadow hovers still...
The dark abyss of mourning
As clouds distort the fairest visions here...

Speak soft! and whisper in our sorrow
Lest our voices fade again into the dark,
Arising first from slumber with a burden;
First to live in darkness on these dying shores...

The sea that calls us; formed from our tears
Shed since in the shadows we arose
To watch the mountains crumble and the sea churn
Ah! First to speak and first to weep...

Wait! For glimmers silver in the velvet cloak of night
Hearken yet your ear to distant sounds...
Before a word of sorrow passed our lips
The golden voices of our fathers cried, 'Ele!'

Behold, the light by Kementari kindled,
Hope incarnate in the dark of grief!
Hush in awe, but tarry not long in stricken silence...
Yea, first to weep, but also... first to sing.

So sing again! Though earth has fell to shadow
Varda's lamps in shimmering echo make a chorus to our song
And silver stars like swords have pierced the blackness,
And voices ever ring triumphant through the falling night

Sing though now our song is mourning
For stars that e'en in falling blazed a victory o'er the dark
And surely Elbereth may weep beside thee
And take thy silver tears to light the sky.

Imladris Poetry Page