Steven Pferdberg - Tales from Cornucopia: A collection of miners poems

1st edition / 1. Auflage, 05-2015 Pferdberg, Steven Tales from Cornucopia A collection of miner's poems Illustrations by Stefan Grossmann Book Layout by Bjrn Kahlenberg Map of Cornucopia by Steven Pferdberg,
using graphic elements created by
Tiffany Munro & Daphne Arcadius Printed and published by / Herstellung und Verlag: BoD - Books on Demand GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany ISBN: 9783739271705 (C) 2015 Steven Pferdberg

For the citizens
of Cornucopia. I greet thee, hungry traveller, The name is Pferdberg, Steven. I like to write about the things That make me feel uneven. The rhythms might seem obvious, The rhymes are sometimes simple. A poet knows, a face is just The canvas for a pimple. Spider Frank was fast and friendly, Speedy and sincere.

You could give him things to carry, He would bring them here. Cobblestone to Little Island, Jungle Trees to Spider Town, Homemade bread to hungry travellers, He would never let us down. Always keen on looking spiffy, Saddles, Ee and Aw! A to B right in a jiffy, Load and heave and ho! Then, one night, a greenish devil Crept along the twilit farm. Snickered mean, the ever sneaky, As he snuck into the barn. Spider Frank was unsuspicious, Couldn't hear the hissing beast. He died in the line of duty, Carrying the baker's yeast.

Hitherto old Frank had never Met a thing as devious. Blown to bits, he'll be remembered Like no donkey previous. People say he had it coming, That he'd been an easy prey. Spider Frank was our dear friend, And our friends we wish to stay. Spider Frank was fast and friendly, Speedy and sincere.

"Begone thy baneful spell!" I clepe. "Begone thy baneful spell!" I clepe.

I will not even bother. My treasure-ladden bag is full, I cannot take another. A precious stone, it greets my eye, Just there beyond the chasm. Collecting and retrieving it Becomes a wild phantasm. A monkey rideth pickaback, Temptation is a rotter! And still my mind congratulates, I am a skillful spotter. The greed within presents itself As merry a companion.

A wise man knows, behind it hides A devil in a canyon. In reaching out my trembling hand, I praise my past endeavours. "Tarnation and Dodgast!" methinks, And fall into the crevice.

A horse stood on a cliff one day And gazed onto the plains, The lands of Cornucopia, Where Gorf the Golem reigns. So many roads that lead from here To unseen magic places! Which one to take of all the paths? A horse loves open spaces. "Along the river I could go." It thought, and almost vowed it.

Its vision of the river's course Was vague and somewhat clouded. "Or up into the mountainscape, Across the sparkling fountain?" It knew that it was not well fit For travelling on the mountain. "Into the dark oak forest then, Where mushrooms stand in shadows! Or South into the desert plains, Or just into the meadows?" So many roads that led from there And so few hours to wander. Upon all possibilites This happy horse did ponder. All suddenly a hand appeared To tighten strings. Departure! This freedom-loving horse belonged To quite a busy archer.

One day, the horse will travel out To unforeseen directions. Until then human work awaits, Experience comes in fractions.

O island of wonders, So far out at sea, Unveileth thy deepest mystery To four reckless heroes, United and brave! Don't judge them on how they Might sometimes behave. For travel they must, Through stark foreign lands, Their hunger is why they So slowly advance. When the comforts of home Are far far away, And unfriendly monsters Don't want them to stay, Their eyes gazing southward, Their hearts full of hope, Not yet do their minds see With what they must cope. Beyond all that frightens, All perils, all doom, Out there in the sun's Sweet and peaceful last gloom Shines faintly an island, Few men ever saw, Not bound by all cosmic Or natural law.

In her solemn golden And violet glow Stand cows in strange colors, And prompt them to bow. "O give us thy sapid Yet outlandish stew! And sing us thy gracious Yet primitive moo!" The journey victorious, Their heads high and bold, Alas there is hefty A chapter soon told. Four left the city, And just three arrived. Three went through fire, But just one survived. But powers mysterious, From ages long gone, Them granted a respawn And strength to move on. As night shrouds the city, Comradery prevails.

Our heroes return And live to tell tales.

O have ye wandered To Lava Falls nigh? Where the blood of the Earth Falls from the sky, Where heroes go fishing By the starlit lagoon, And architects run out Of spruce wood too soon. Where an old haunted hotel Sits gently with birch, And treacherous magma Flows right through a church. Where infinite tunnels Host many a gem, And cows even smile, Being turned into ham. Where climbers crouch low And divers fly high, And enchanted arrows Kiss creepers good-bye. Winged you stand On top of the hill, The shining river beneath your feet. Winged you stand On top of the hill, The shining river beneath your feet.

The eternal streams, That fall from the hill, You watch over them, day and night. Without them we'd thirst, And our crops would be bleak, But you bless the streams, and we see it. With firm grip you hold The torch high and bold, That enlightens the town we recieved. Bless the villagers with hope, They'll fight in the swamp, Faithful they'll have what they need.

Where once stood a temple, You stand above clouds. Beneath dwell the divers, Surround the lighthouse.

Refreshened by potions A smiling man brewed, Forget introductions, You're now known as "dude". Sad spikefish is screeching, You just hold the wire, As soon it will enter The chamber of fire. The soft sandy beaches, A vast fruit buffet, Cows greet from the boat bridge, Then swim round the bay. Occasional rainfall Can't spoil the great vibe. Welcome to the island! Welcome to the tribe!

I crafted a raft Without any draft. It wasn't that hard, Not unlike a cart.

Have well understood: Save iron! Take wood! Then take to the seas, Be full of ideas.

O merry the farmer Who never forgets, What you take from the land Is just temporarily yours. He greets the old dog, Who sits on his steps, For he too understands, What's given is given for good. The clock on the shelf Sings a salute To the scars on his hands, But the rhythm is peaceful at last. Summer will come On a horse that won't kneel, And the smallest of grains Is delightful to hold in his hands. (Hey!) Safe and sound we ride the waves, Over the sea we fly. (Hey!) The Eastern Sea, the Western Sea And everywhere in between. (Hey!) We belong under open skies, So that's where we'll be seen. (Hey!) We pity the adventurer, Who left his brews his home. (Hey!) Let's all take a breath and dive To the mystic dome. (Hey!) Evil fish and guardians, Hear them all complain. (Hey!) We are here to fight and steal Precious porcelain. (Hey!) Round the Cape Croissant we go, Wienerfell is near. (Hey!) Clouds are looming o'er our heads, but Soon the skies will clear. (Hey!) Summon a drink and gather round, The shore is nigh in sight. (Hey!) Sail we will, through days of lore And through darkest night. (Hey!) Lightning bolt and thunderclap Rage across the sky. (Hey!) Safe and sound we ride the waves, Over the sea we fly. (Hey!)Next page