The Inscription Upon the Vaulted Stone, as Related by the Keyholder’s Final Grandson

Thrice, the watching towers knelled

to warn of strange ships off the shore;

Twice, the hooded smiths did weld

the crown the sons of Cazmus wore;

Once, the sacred tree was felled

from ancient seeding long before.

Never now can hate be quelled

in lands condemned to endless war.

Never now can hope be spelled

by lips which spat the vows they swore.

Never now can an ax withheld

atone, or the sacred tree restore.

Never now,

Forevermore.

There, where once the moonlark dwelled,

seek not respite from soul-dark gore.

There, where once the fireleaf smelled

so sweet, find ought but fest’ring sore.

Never leave here.

Most abhor

the thrice-damned lost who’d dare explore.

Never breach the vaulted door.

Never now,

Forevermore.

**Inspired by the poetry in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of Rings series, especially the opening epigraph regarding the rings. This is my crack at using his style and a few of his themes to do some fantasy world-building and narrative exposition.