I just realized that I totally failed to update my website with the news that in December I competed for and was named Bard of the Oaks, the official Bard of the Barony of Darkwood. I had to compete in four categories: tall tale, three words from a hat, poem, and … I forget the other one. The poem I read was “Bitter Stalks of Thyme,” I told a tale about coming home after tipping a few and having to fight a monstrous thorny beast … that was “hiding” in the rose bush, and the three words from a hat was a poem I wrote about coming to the West and then having a Laurel (by the name of Mistress Leofwen) encourage me to write a song.
The competition took place at the Baroness’ Masked Ball, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I wish I had not lost the words to the poem I wrote (although I still have the melody), but c’est la vie.
As for the fact that I was the only one competing, I shall strive instead to remember Their Excellencies kind words and encouragement as they invited me to represent Their Barony for the period of one year in the Bardic Arts. I’ll be updating with some of the poems and songs I’ve been writing, and if I get super motivated, I’ll record and post some of them as well!
Teresa of Attilium 