Full Circle

By: Sancero Posted on: May 17, 2005

The Circle of Fifths is a musical diagram that shows the interrelatedness between keys.
The founder of the Bards' guild, Ralph, applied this twelve-point model to the
ideals most integral to Bardic life. This poem is just one Bard's interpretation of the elements.

-Full Circle-

We walk a twelve-fold path, we Bards, we guardians of words.
We wield our wits in battle, which are just as sharp as swords.
Our voices carry true the notes of graced serenity;
We worship, too, the Muse of booze: the best divinity.
But lacking certain principles, our work is all for naught.
Hence: the twelve-fold path of Fifths the great Lord Bards have taught.

In speech or song or writing, our Voices are our own
to mold and shape through practice--to master style and tone.
Every Bard must hone his Voice to sing out bright and clear
o'er the hundred-headed audience, that everyone might hear.
With skill unmatched world-over, we give the gift of song.
And when they call for encore, we're quick to please the throng.

Nimble fingers dance across a row of simple strings,
drawing forth sweet melodies for commoners and kings.
Be it lyre or harp or lute, or wooden mandolin,
each Bard knows his Instrument is e'er his closest friend.
Though strings may snap and knobs may break and some notes ring off key,
we treat our Instruments with care and play them tenderly.

We promote Integrity, and keep our own unmarred.
Honesty's the cornerstone to living as a Bard.
To steal the work of others and to claim it for ourselves
is a great offense deserved of eternity in Hell.
Give credit true where credit's due, and never plagiarize,
for unabashed dishonesty will lead to your demise.

Not the least important is a love of History--
To give new life to ancient texts and set old stories free
from dusty tomes, forgotten shelves, and long lost memories.
We tell the tales of epic wars, of open skies and seas,
of friends and lovers, mice and men, of schemes the Gods contrive.
Throughout the world we spread our lore to keep the past alive.

Various Philosophies are found within our guild,
so having different views of things won't likely get you killed.
We're somewhat of a motley bunch who sometimes disagree,
but still we get along because we pride diversity.
Though our beliefs don't always mesh, respect them nonetheless!
We're free to hold opinions and encourage thoughtfulness.

Performance is the element that every Bard should love.
We showcase here our talents to the world, and gods above.
Body, voice, and music blend to set the proper mood,
and hold the crowd enraptured to our every interlude.
We play and sing with such finesse that all the world takes pause,
and then we take our final bow to sounds of wild applause.

Just as music dots the page in measures, bars, and lines,
so does Order guide us with its rational confines.
A little bit of tedium is healthy for the soul,
so practice often, stay in tune, and keep in mind your goal.
Without a sense of self-control, we'd quickly lose our heads.
Order sets the rhythm that we listen to instead.

In wars of wits, we brandish words and clever repartee;
but wry retorts won't always thwart a headstrong enemy.
Thus, we learn the song of steel and trust the dance of Blade
to save us from the ill-inclined, and then retaliate.
With no small share of vigilance and rapier in hand,
a well-armed Bard is fit to go and tame the savage land.

The keen-eyed poet finds a bit of beauty in all things:
from the whiskers of a baby rat to songbirds' flitting wings.
Here is where the living heart of Inspiration lies.
Its pulse gives life to things that might seem ugly otherwise.
A quiet place, a little time--that's really all you need
to find your own creative flame, which Inspiration feeds.

Imagination is the first of Lord Scarlatti's three--
the tenets most important to that Bardic entity.
Here the seeds of inspiration finally take root.
They grow to heights unmeasured, and bear their robust fruit.
By sharing works with others, you spread those seeds around.
Your efforts meet fruition thus, when song and verse abound.

We love the craft of words and hold our works in high regard,
for a burning lust for art will sculpt a rich and varied Bard.
Passion drives the process from which all good art is born,
while Bards who lack self-confidence incur the critic's scorn.
This fire is the lifeblood that flows within our veins.
It burns away the husk of doubt, and art is what remains.

Finally, comes Discipline, 'round which the world revolves.
Without this sense of progress, the twelve-fold path dissolves.
Diligence and study are essential to success.
Put forth your best in all you do, for we'll take nothing less.
Adaptation, innovation, forward-looking gaze:
These elements must drive a Bard throughout his mortal days.

With these in mind we follow true the path we walk along.
We bless the world with music that we all might go with song.
These tenets guide the Bardic life for better or for worse,
but the path has come full circle--this rhyme has run its course.
Remember well the elements I've woven through this poem,
for if you have a poet's heart, with us you'll find a home.