The Stuff of Heroes 
Author: The Phantom  
HappyAnny@aol.com 
G  - Poetry 
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, though no names are spoken.

Author's Notes: What does make a hero? Do you recognize all the characters I'm 
hinting at? No names are specifically given. Please enjoy, and I hope it makes 
you think.


The Stuff of Heroes


Here is a riddle, and answer straight, pray
What do you think makes a hero today?
If some person asks you that, what will you say?
What is the stuff of heroes?


Is it strength with a sword, and the skills there to fight?
A powerful body and fists full of might?
Or swift-running feet that can almost give flight?
Is that the stuff of heroes?


But what if a person wasn't large as the rest
Or maybe his physique just wasn't the best
Would you still have the faith that he might pass the test?
Could he be considered a hero?


Is 'hero' the body, is that where to start?
Or maybe the wisdom that they may impart
But really, a 'hero' is found in the heart
A heart hides the stuff of heroes


A Man may be proud and be firm as rock
An Elf may be quick and have eyes like a hawk
But if they are cowards, it's just a big crock
That isn't the stuff of heroes


There's strength in numbers, or that's what I'm told
But what if there's horrors and numbers won't hold?
It's the one who stands with you who's precious as gold
That one holds the stuff of heroes


An army has gathered, an army of hate
An army of darkness that won't dissipate
Then there is light as Hope opens the gate
And lets loose the stuff of heroes


The shadows of evil are rising to power
On the horizon appears a Black Tower
It's those that stand up in this last, desperate hour
That carry the stuff of heroes


A battle is waging, the darkness is coming
The screams of the dying become a great humming
And still on the Good side, the drummers keep drumming
Those drums beat the stuff of heroes


A legend arises, the Sword That Was Broken
Its' power is mighty, its' name often spoken
But without its' wielder, it's merely a token
A sword is not the stuff of heroes


But two hands come forward and carry the blade
Through battle, through fire, and hold the blockade
The Man only wishes to see Evil unmade
He is the stuff of heroes


A glorious archer of whom many sing
His arrows fly like they are gifted on wing
He fights not for himself, but at the side of his King
This Elf holds the stuff of heroes


With only an axe against spear, sword, and knife
Yet still through the peril and danger and strife
For his King, he would lay down his own Dwarven life
Yes, that is the stuff of heroes


Two against hundreds, the odds large in size
But Hope never fades from their innocent eyes
Together they stand, or together they die
These two have the stuff of heroes


Protecting the little ones, at their side in a trice
Defending their frailty from darkness and vice
But to do this, it is his own life that's the price
Fallen, but still the stuff of heroes


A symbol of Good and a promise of peace
A Guardian, standing strong against the East
The wielder of Light that will not ever cease
He bears the stuff of heroes


Against his own self he is pitted to fight
Trying to do good, but failing in spite
His plunge into death then sets everything right
A tragic turn on the stuff of heroes


Putting the wind in his dear Master's sails
Following him through the dread that entails
Refusing to give till his own body fails
That strength is the stuff of heroes


Leaving his happiness to darkness to fall
Struggling to bear something terribly small
He carries this burden for the sake of us all
That truly is the stuff of heroes


It doesn't take strength and it doesn't take pride
It doesn't warriors true and tried
A hero is found when he looks deep inside
And discovers his stuff of heroes


The banners are raised and the trumpets are blowing
And Good marches out to the War that's still going
Will you march along, deep in your heart knowing
You can find the stuff of heroes


It's not in your strength, it's not in your mind
Just look in your heart, and see what you find
There's a hero inside, it just need be refined
We all hold the stuff of heroes


So put on your armor and join in the fight
Though Evil arise with fury and might
And though battle is long, it will all come out right
For we have the stuff of heroes


Now you know the answer and you hold the key
You know what makes heroes; it's inside you and me
Close your eyes and imagine the sweet victory
When out steps the stuff of heroes


Wielding a sword and the right to be King
Letting loose arrows that fly on the wing
Fighting for freedom, an admirable thing
Seeing hope, even when one's life hangs by a string
Dying a death of which harpers will sing
Carrying Light, and to battle, Hope bring
Vanquishing evil by self-sacrificing
Raising against the great Shelob a Sting
Facing the Darkness and bearing the Ring


That is the stuff of heroes


~ The End