Afterlife: a tribute to Warriors

[Keltena]

In the sky up above
Up in StarClan, we say
Live the ones we have loved
Who have now passed away​

I've been writing this poem series for about a year now, mainly to challenge myself with sticking to a strict rhythm, length, and rhyming scheme. There are six at the moment, each dedicated to a different cat. They're listed here in chronological order.

Restless
In the sky up above
Up in StarClan, we say
Live the ones we have loved
Who have now passed away

I will tell you the tale
Of a cat who once lived
Who although her life failed
Felt she had more to give

It was many times said
She was too young to die
Still, that night, overhead
A new star lit the sky

But that star would not stay
In the sky as it should
For the cat's heart still lay
In the depths of the wood

Spottedleaf was her name
And still, up in the sky
One cat's spirit remains
Who refuses to die​

Sacrifice

In the sky up above
Up in StarClan, we say
Live the ones we have loved
Who have now passed away

I will tell you, my friend
Of a warrior brave
One whose life had to end
Just for two kits to save

Though his honor was strong
They allowed him to die
Though they knew it was wrong
Still no cat wondered why

Though his loyalty stood
His Clan would not believe
He could be any good
After they were deceived

And so did Stonefur die
For what he did not do
Which, though his Clan may try
They can never undo

Haunted
In the sky up above
Up in StarClan, we say
Live the ones we have loved
Who have now passed away

I will tell you today
Of a star in the sky
Whose life faded away
As her Clan watched her die

She was strong, she was wise
She knew just what to do
Till before her own eyes
Her dreams faded from view

Lives ended and began
While her own, in contrast
Held no purpose, no plan
Full of ghosts of the past

But she woke up and ran
Feeling when her time came
Bluestar died for her Clan
We shall honor her name

Outcast
In the sky up above
Up in StarClan, we say
Live the ones we have loved
Who have now passed away

We will never forget
Of a cat old and wise
One who fought fiercely, yet
Peacefully joined the skies

Her life couldn’t get worse
It would seem from outside
But nothing could reverse
All her hope and her pride

And she turned tail and ran
Only when all was lost
Loyalty to her Clan
Appeared worth any cost

It was many moons later
That Yellowfang died
Now freed from the dictator
She had spent years beside​

Loyal

In the sky up above
Up in StarClan, we say
Live the ones we have loved
Who have now passed away

Listen closely to me
And tonight you will learn
One cat's deep loyalty
For a loved one’s concern

Once a cat of no Clan
He gave his freedom up
To do all he could manage
For the one that he loved

And still when danger loomed
This one stood by his oaths
When to fight dug his tomb,
Honored the path he chose

Though a loner at heart
Rainfur stifled his doubt
Let misgivings depart
Loyal to love throughout​

Broken

In the sky up above
Up in StarClan, we say
Live the ones we have loved
Who have now passed away

Tonight's tale is the one
Of an apprentice brave
Whose tale, hardly begun
Was soon forced to the grave

Fierce and bright from the start
Yet forced to accept 'never'
When her dreams fell apart
Left a cripple forever

And although she survived
Chose a new path to take
The place where she arrived
Never took her dream's place

And now from the beginning
Cinderpaw's tale restarts
With a new will for living
Always a warrior at heart​

I have my own opinions about how I'm doing with this project, of course, but I want to hear critique from others too. Feel free to be as harsh as you like~

 

[Keltena]

I recently dug up another Warriors poem of mine -- not part of the Afterlife series, but I thought I'd post it here. Critique, as always, will be treated with love and cookies.

Fatigue

Hunger chews away at me
Making my strength disappear
Something to eat... that's all I ask...
But there’s no longer any prey here

Half in a daze, I make myself walk
Away from remains of my Clan
There was nothing I could do, it wasn't my fault
But I sometimes think I should have died with the land

One foot at a time, until I've arrived
Each step I take, I'm sure it will be the last
But I can't just give up... I have to keep going
I'll live if I manage to break this long fast

And then, there's a scent, that reminds me of home
I'm sure it means food; now it's my only care
If I just find it soon... then the wind blows away
And I can't help but wonder if it ever was there​

 

[Sandstone-Shadow]

I really like your Afterlife series. =D The poems are very touching, and it really tells the story of those warriors. Maybe you could write one about Whitestorm? (The name would be a spoiler if anyone here hasn't read The Darkest Hour) I'd understand if you didn't want to; I probably wouldn't be able to write a poem about what someone tells me to; I'd have to want to write it. xD

Another thing I really like about your poems is that they all flow and match in style. ^^ I like the rythym~

 

[Keltena]

Thank you. ^^

Spoiler: The Darkest Hour

Whitestorm

is in fact a subject I've been considering; if I get around to him, though, it'll probably be after I do

Spoiler: A Dangerous Path

Swiftpaw

. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Keltena]

Finally, I wrote the next poem. This one is about

Spoiler: A Dangerous Path

Swiftpaw

, as I said before. (

Spoiler: The Darkest Hour

Whitestorm

may be next.)

Unfulfilled

In the sky up above
Up in StarClan, we say
Live the ones we have loved
Who have now passed away

I will sing you a song
Of a warrior not yet
Who to prove himself strong
Caused his Clan much regret

When his rank was denied
He then searched for a way
In great danger he tried
To prove himself brave

Though he fought 'til the end
He was finally slain
Died protecting a friend
Who then dealt with the pain

While his Clanmates all mourned
Swiftpaw watched from the sky
Head drooped and eyes forlorn
An apprentice for all time​