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Bardic Arts

Peers of Tomorrow
by
Elsa Saxenkammer
(AS XXXVIII)

The future held tight in their small grubby hands.
The morning sun shines on the faces
Of the West’s smallest heroes and all that they do
And the honor that each one embraces

I sing you the children, the West kingdom’s future
I sing you the spirit that makes their eyes glow
I sing you the chivalry, artistry, service
I sing you the peers of tomorrow

There’s a little girl standing with spindle and wool
And the yarn that she’ll show you is good
Will you stop to admire it or shoo her away
Will you nurture a laurel in bud

There’s a child at the gate in a tunic and trews
And you’re not sure if this one’s a boy or a girl
But a pelican chick hands you change with a smile
And says “welcome, friend, into my world.”

I sing you the children, the West kingdom’s future
I sing you the spirit that makes their eyes glow
I sing you the chivalry, artistry, service
I sing you the peers of tomorrow

There’s a brother and sister with boffers in hand
And they’re playing Crown Tourney to see who’s the best
And the little one strikes, and her big brother falls…
Then declares her the King of the West!

He’ll fight to defend anyone who is weak
She’ll stand up to bullies because they are wrong
They’ll both do what’s right even when it is hard
Oh, the knights of tomorrow are strong

So I ask you, you big folk, the peers of today
Will you find a small child and help them to grow
Will you tend to our future and show them the way
Will you foster the peers of tomorrow?

I sing you the children, the West kingdom’s future
I sing you the spirit alive in their eyes
I sing you the chivalry, artistry, service
I sing you the peers of tomorrow.

Presented at the Bard of the West Competition, Beltane Coronation (May, AS XXXVIII, 2003).
"When presented with a category for competition that's been done to death, one has to start reaching kind of far afield. We were told to "Write a piece about the West kingdom or the crown." The West has a marvelous past, a shining present and an amazing future. I chose to write about that future." -- Elsa Saxenkammer

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