Fic: from the mildly allusive to the outright pastiche

[ricardienne]

So this is what I've been doing recently, namely, writing Vorkosiverse poetry for the Vorkosiverse Impromptu Poetry Battle:

Title: Aral Accepts
Author: ricardienne
Rating: G
Summary: Aral to Ezar, just between Shards of Honor and Barrayar



I'll hold the reins. No horse will veer from true:
no slacking trace to round the nearing pole
nor speeding rim to graze and risk one prole
or Vor or subject old or conquered new
without cause more than just. And if a few
resist your bit I'll weep and curse that old
unshaken oath, but wield your whip. My soul---
No. That were luxury. I hear and do.

Though here's no blessed golden child king,
no easy salve, no medic for the scars
you wrought, my liege, and I, if hope there be,
for even stagnant misery surviving,
I swear it stays.
                           You, boy, be Barrayar.
Your smile's for your mother: frown on me.

---

And then, because I am utterly incorrigible, some Asclepiadeans, with full apologies to Horace:

Title: Donec gratis eram tibi (link to a cute English translation; the Latin text is easy to find)
Author: ricardienne
Rating: G
Summary: "...but we two still obtain; let's see what happens then."

For gwynnep's Winterfair 2012 prompt: "Gregor and Laisa, their first fight."


"When I thought Laisa was mine
unambiguously, and not politically
counting grievances constantly,
then no emperor yet was so content as I."

"When my lord only lived for me,
And reproofs gently bent imperial hauteur,
When sometimes I could kiss Gregor
then I could not have wished Komarran liberty."

"None hold me as does Barrayar
Noble, proud, beautiful, loyal from low to high.
I would not hesitate to die
to maintain her in peace. Such is my task as Vor."

"No one holds candles to Komarr
Clever, practical, sleek, not stupidly hidebound.
I'd die twice for Soletta's crown
If I knew 't would ensure prosperous trade afar!"

"Yet what if we could try again:
planets take second place, people be reconciled?
Our empire's here to last a while,
but we two still obtain; let's see what happens then."

"You ought not to persuade me thus,
but this time I'll concede. Though I have cause for ire,
I love you, Gregor. So let's try --
if just when we are two -- living that much for us.

Comments

[charlie-ego.livejournal.com]

I'd just like to say again how much I love this (Aral's sonnet particularly, but the fight is lovely as well).

(And I'd love to join in, but alas! I do not think I was born under a poetic star... I'll think about it...)

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

I haven't done ANYTHING NEARLY so fine. But I did just post a double dactyl (http://bujold-fic.livejournal.com/302453.html?view=1873525#t1873525) about Aral & his family over on bujold_fic.

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! The second one really rings true for Gregor and Laisa, alas. And the first one is pitch-perfect: My soul---
No. That were luxury. I hear and do. And the last bit -- ow, and yes.