(June 27th, 2015)

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This is related to the following event:
Summer Poetry Competition In The Shire
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Captain's Quick Report: Summer Poetry Competition In The Shire

  Well would you know that each of the four races known of the Free Peoples, are each talented with their own crafting writers and story-tellers amongst their kin?  Poets and bards; there are some amongst every circle, amongst every community you might ever meet.  And never more so true than a fine example at today's poetry event of sorts, a hobbit-organized spectacle under a fine summer sky north of Bywater, by the famed Methel Stage.

  According to the event posting which I was lucky enough to spot around Bree-town, as it was an event advertised as welcome to all races, a Miss Hobbit named Jadite and/or Miss Nannie may be the chief organizers who put this together, and without delay upon my arrival to the site, a Miss Jadite did indeed greet me, and even asked if I were to take part in the poetry ongoings!  I shook my head of course, my representation was of the Bree Captain's Guild, and my business on behalf of the Guild there was to attend as audience and observer, not a participant hoho!

  But start off with such a strong poet, did they do so -- one of the four halfling judges, the famed Master Simbo, opened with an example of poetry to 'set low the bar', said he, for the rest of the participants.  Though I do believe the audience quite thought it splendid otherwise, with the outstanding applause for his words and thoughtful putting together of that poem!

 With Miss Jadite, Miss Tibba, Miss Lina and Master Simbo as judges, the poetry did fly forth with eloquence, and quite the outstanding putting together of phrases and story to humble meaning and lessons!  First was the ever-famous Bounder, Miss Nimelia.  Followed then by Miss Pycella Woodberry, a popular pie-runner within the Shire I believe.  After was Master Tahitoa Tuk, whom would play and already did play several musical pieces alongside Miss Amorey as the event proceeded.  And finally after an announcement that a fourth poet-to-be had not been sighted yet in attendance, it was Master Ponso Pondhopper of the renowned Shire Angling Club who then read his poem to end the list of participating poets.

  Then did arise the main musical segment of this gathering -- played by what I think I heard as members from the performing group Hobbit Heart themselves!  And in the meantime while many songs were played, a most... ah, interesting exchange between the judges did start by the side of the stage.  Official word was they were discussing and deciding on the winners and poems spoken... but there was more than once a rolling pin was waved about, and a few choice remarks about bellies and stout feet were heard too!

 With luck, it seems things did calm down, though I must admit the whole thing was as merry as ever from what these ol' Bree Captain's eyes could tell -- arguing or judging, that isn't my place to decide, but certainly there were no blows to the death, well... at least what we might see in the more rowdy and dark parts of Bree and the world of Men, hoho...  this was quite tame in comparison for a heated discussion, if it could be called that!

  The winners were announced, and in agreement, I must say that it truly is better to focus on the joy of the poems and poets themselves for having shared their pieces, rather than who won this or that!  Each of the poems spoken were quite a telling tale of their own, all to do well within the themes of Water, Friends, or Travelling, as was described on the event posting!  It was quite a joy to have been in attendance, and surely it stands as a testament to a unique breed of folk amongst the Free Peoples whom can bring words and meaning together into crafted-verse and stories, poems and tales.  And here in the Shire, Hobbits are without a doubt proven again to be well-talented in their culture at such things!

  And now this early and quick report I must close, for although it was just a mere hour or two ago that I left quickly to rest, while a final few songs were played for the audience after Miss Jadite made her closing remarks and conclusion to the poetry event -- there is still much to be done in the coming few days.  There was word a few days ago of a Brandy Badgers Public Rehearsal happening.  And then shortly the day after, this month's OAKS with the Mondbarden will be happening in the Oldfurlong Village.  These will be some busy days, but none more glad than am I to have been allowed and  sent by the Bree Captain's Guild to be visiting these lands of the Shire and to be in attendance to these events, where appropriate, amongst these merry folk of Hobbit-stature!

Signed,

Captain Naismithea Willarc

Watcher of Roads
Representative of the Bree Captain's Guild
Officer of the Sworn Wanderers


P.S.

  Two of the poems recited at the event have been sent and already recorded down as new additions to the Archives of the Grey Repository.  Here are directions to where you can find them:

"Travelling With Friends On The Water" by Simbo
"Home Again ! - A Poem" by Tahitoa

The first album collection of sketches and paintings from Captain Naismithea's perspective.  These lightly grant an overview of the entire event, and he has sent word to the scribes here at the Archives that there is a possible one or two more collections containing more numerous and detailed sketches to be sent later, and appended to this report.  They shall be added as we receive and finish processing them!
                      ~ Scribe of the Grey Repository

Overview Collection

Note from Naismithea: Before proceeding onwards with viewing the following sketches, drawings and paintings, do note, dear Reader, that there are many to peruse!  With luck, venture forth only at your own risk, and with plentiful time on yours hands, and the willing spirit!  Also, while it may appear many of the pictures fully capture the poems or speeches given during the event, line for line -- there is in reality many words not recorded by any of my drawings or sketches, and so do take care in understanding that what you may see in these collections are not a complete and full recording of all the poems!  Though they should give you a hearty idea!

First Collection

Second Collection

Third Collection

Fourth Collection