To Mention Just a Few

On being asked for my favourite author, book or quotation

I don't live in the fairy-tale

of falling in love once only 

for the whole of a long life.

Many princes are charming,

and I have loved many.

That sweet lad in the desert

with sun-gold curls and a rose,

he was lovely. He understood

how to see with the heart

and the way to tame a fox.

There was the one in exile

from his land and tribe,

who consorted with wizards, 

elves, gnomes and tree people –

a traveller with a mission.

And I'll always fall for a man

who makes me laugh,

even if he takes me for a ride

and tells me, warm and friendly, 

'Don't panic', as we crash-land.

Another had dash and flair,

and loyalty to friends. 'All 

for one and one for all!' I like

the adventurous type. He knew 

exactly how to wield his sword.

I spent a long time loving

a small man of large heart

and much wisdom, a gentle

and most earthy spiritual type,

in a village, a little world.

Lately I'm favouring a tall,

long-haired rural dweller

with an attractive native accent,

who likes outlandish women – 

well, foreign to himself, anyway.

How could I choose just one

to cuddle up in bed with,

when God has bestowed 

such beautiful abundance? 
I love them all, forever true.

UK Pictures: Woman reading a book, Sept. 21 2005

Creative Commons 2.0 (by-nc-nd)

Cheat sheet:

1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

2. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (specifically the character of Aragorn, though my description could also apply to Frodo)

3. The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and sequels, by Douglas Adams

4. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

5. The Little World of Don Camillo, and sequels, by Giovanni Guareschi

6. The 'Outlander' series by Diana Gabaldon

These are indeed among my favourite books. In the poem I have also made each one equate to an important man in my life, but I'm not giving a cheat sheet for that! (The people closest to me may recognise some.)


Written for Sanaa's Prompt Nights: When armed with the license to quote. (My poem does include quotations, whether indicated or not.)

Also linked to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #300