Verily, A New Hope

Hast e’er thou bethought how ‘twould sound

If by sharp wit and skilled pen a tale were rendered in

Yet another mode than that in which ‘twas first writ?

Would not thou stand astounded if met with a tale of the stars

And the galactic forces at war therein, yet told

In a manner befitting the air of noble playwright

William Shakespeare? For such hath been found, aye, and when found

Brought with gladsome haste to our goodly abode,

Whereupon we set with eagerness of heart to peruse

This volume so singularly significant.

For since my first days as one seeing merit

In literary works of satire or parody,

Ne’er yet have I seen such skill in style set

To such a worthy end.

                                                Aye, this classic pair,

The timeless nature of Star Wars films

Mixed yet with seamless Shakespearean style,

Hath quick taken hold of my thought this day,

And hath firmly rooted in the mould of mine mind

As ranking beyond the common lot of words multiplied,

In an instant becoming a favorite.

‘Tis through influence of volume by Ian Doescher,

Goodly man of capacity vast, that now

My thoughts be ever bent towards galaxies distant

And to the sorrows and strivings therein. Moreover,

Attention turns perforce to writing style grand;

I here seek to convey the flavor, yet whilest knowing

My words be but an echo and a shadow thereof.

Pentameter, iambic or otherwise, is not as yet

Accounted among my strengths – and yet – methinks

That with the passage of time, and opportunity availed,

I may still come to learn this skill.       ‘Tis said

The pen be mighty beyond strength of sword, yea, e’en perhaps

Past power held by saber of light; and if ‘tis true,

I’ll train in its use until ready and full fit to write

In style belike the bard – or mayhap in style finer still!

To thee, O Reader, may I in closing advice impart –

For in closing it must be, else thou shalt soon

Bethink thyself of hasty departure, and flee –

If thou liking hast for words poetic yet clear,

For lines in stately measure writ, for tale familiar

And yet sublime: thou shouldst with haste

Convey thyself to a seller of books, and search

For one so named Verily, A New Hope; thus thou shalt find

A volume to thy delight, diverting thee for hours to come.

Be swift! Glad thou shalt be made by this matter,

If gladdened thou canst be made by the written word.

With grateful heart I thank thee for thy time, trusting

That it shall not have been spent in vain.