----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE TALES OF AYELSFARN (An Aethereal Menagerie) (Second Edition) Copyright 1991 by Robert Bryan Reinhardt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Includes all original and revised poetry and prose ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Tales of Ayelsfarn; An Aetherial Managerie I (1985) The Tales of Ayelsfarn; An Aetherial Managerie II (1991) Copyright 1985, 1991 by Robert Bryan Reinhardt ISBN 0-8059-2988-6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ .c2. Dear Kelly Ann Please forgive me for saying These things that I must, But all people, even I, Need a dear friend to trust. Years have gone by And new years approach Most offer many reasons to cry And when we don't I wonder, why? When one is an infant So new to this world and As wonderfully innocent We have too little effect on Our confusing environment. And as our days add Some homes just don't stand Leaving one to feel so very sad, For this is occuring throughout the land. We hope and pray For that is all we know For some happiness, someday, But there is nothing we can do. And as our days add Some things can change, But too few make us glad For then our family has again rearranged. Love has become far too common a word, For in such unwarranted times The true meaning is too often confused And can be the cause of terrible crimes When marked as an excuse to abuse, As so often is the case in our world. And as our days add We find ourselves surrounded With more serious social problems That are so easily compounded By our own sullen ways, On which our childhood was founded. However, even after My soul once touched the fire, Singed by demons' laughter, Being deceived by a princely liar, I find new hope, that which you offer; Through your caring words, your smile, I find strength to fill life's coffer; I marvel that maybe it was there all the while. And I look again at this magnanimous nation As truly I thank you, for this new inspiration. -------------------------------------------------------- / / /__,_ _ o ____ /_ __. __ /_) (_