There's legends of heroes who fought for the poor,
When England was under Prince John.
King Richard was fighting the Turk and the Moor,
While John thought he'd try out a con.
An outlaw named Robin, a Saxon of note,
Decided the taxes weren't right.
He'd fought for King Richard but hadn't a vote
Instead he decided to fight.
The Sheriff collected, and kept back a share,
The monies to send to the Prince
But taxing the poorest was never quite fair
And soon they were starting to wince.
So Robin decided a tax of his own -
That only the Sheriff should pay.
The money collected was only on loan
The Sheriff would lose it next day.
At Sherwood there's forest around all the towns
And Robin was King of the woods.
The Sheriff collected some thousands of crowns
And Robin collected the goods.
He met little John in a fight on a log.
Like children they wouldn't back down.
They ended up dirty and stood in the bog
But laughing not trying to drown.
Soon fat Friar Tuck had been hounded from church,
His preaching had got out of line.
He met up with Robin, conducted a search
For the smell of the deer and for wine.
Then Alan A'Dale who would sing of their deeds
And Much, who's the son of a Miller
And many a peasant with terrible needs
Or labelled a thief or a killer.
The Saxons still bridled beneath Norman yoke,
The Sheriff and henchmen drove hard.
There is only so far you can push normal folk
Before they will form their own guard.
The stories have endings that never read true,
Of pardons and drinks with the King
Of ladies named Marion, grand castles too
But you shouldn't believe everything.
King Richard returned but he didn't live long
And John, as the King lost the lot.
Magna Carta was signed but he still got things wrong
And the Kingdom's still going to rot.
Now all of these stories may be make believe
But tourists all flock to his oak.
And millions of visitors cannot conceive
That Robin is not a real bloke!
Author notes
Needs a lot of work yet!
A contest entry
- Winklings Celebrates its 100th Contest (A Series) - Contest I by Winklings.
6000 points, ended August 25, 8 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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Humorous but serious
Should be in every grade VI reader at elementary school. As for us, we are right behind you for we all have Robin Hoods of our own, dear poet.
I find no criticism of your work at all. But I've said that of other poems here as well. The trouble with Winklings is that entries are more often than not, jolly good and worthy of something, like Maid Marion for coffee.
Good work and thank you.
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Legends come and legends go
but Robin Hood as all would know;
a story more than kindled lore
but one of kinship and much more!
A treasure my dear rhyming friend. It felt good.
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awash in memories
I'm curious to see how you smooth out the bumps as you proceed to refine this. As I read, I couldn't help but smell, see and feel the pages of my childhood books. Your descriptions, so full of information, lend themselves well to illustration. I'll be back.
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It has been revised twice already, first it had further stanzas added and then I look through for awkward or overused words and just read it aloud and listen. This is a poem I shall devote some time to so it will be read aloud several times, including to another poet to see where any rough spots are, if there is anything you think is weak please let me know, either in IM or comments. Lots of people don't like public corrections and suggestions, I LOVE them
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Now you've done it...I always thought he was real...
A great rendition of a story about a fictitious character that was a joy to read and the last line was the clincher for me!
All the best in the contest...
Sue
x
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I think it flows really well so far. A little editing and you'll be just fine! Great story, I knew he was make believe! ~Sie
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Nice!
I love the flow and rhymes. I'm off to check out some more of your poems!
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Well when one should be sleeping....
ah well.
This is wonderful as always.
Needs some minor tweaking according to your standards,
but not that it much matters, this fan says *thumbsup*
Love
Passions
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