Tolkien's Genius

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Can we talk a little bit about Tolkien's genius?

This man did so many amazing things in his lifetime. As a reader and a writer, I can't begin to appreciate his works enough. I can't imagine doing half his work with even half his skill and mastery.

What all did his genius entail? Let's make a list.

1. He wrote an entire language. Can we just pause to think about that? He wrote. An entire. Language. Uh, that's crazy cool. Just sayin.

2. His mastery of words was beautiful. No one could describe or sound the way he did. He could paint such spendor and elegance into his words.

3. John Ronald Reuhl Tolkien. I mean, he didn't have much to do with naming himself but that's quite the name!

4. He invented hobbits. And hobbits really are amazing creatures. Somehow I can imagine Tolkien as he was writing the books, thinking something along the lines of what Gandalf said. "You can learn all there is to know about them in a month, and yet in a hundred years, they can still surprise you."

5. He could write the most amazing characters. They all had such depth, such emotion. No other characters can jump off the page and seem so concrete to me. Even the ones I don't like, they all have a certain depth that fascinates me. It's beautiful.

6. And lastly, what I really wanted to talk about, Tolkien was a master of poetry. I love poetry. It just makes my heart want to sing.

These three poems are my favorites. (Sorry if there's weird formatting.)

Gandalf is mumbling this song when Frodo first talks to him in the Fellowship of the Ring movie. I think Bilbo wrote it in the book. (I clearly need to read them again.)

"The Road goes ever on and on
  Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
   And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
   Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
   And whither then? I cannot say."

This poem was a message the lady Galadriel sent through Gandalf to Legolas in the Two Towers(?) book.

"Legolas Greenleaf long under tree
    In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!
    If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
    Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more."

It came true too. Legolas couldn't rest until he could sail away to the undying lands. But he took Gimli too, don't worry.

This one was a walking song Pippin sang before they had even left the Shire in the Fellowship of the Ring book. Sadly, only a portion was put into the movies. Happily, it was well done in the movies. I'm conflicted, it's okay.

"Upon the hearth the fire is red,
Beneath the roof there is a bed;
But not yet weary are our feet,
Still round the corner we may meet
A sudden tree or standing stone
That none have seen but we alone.

  Tree and flower and leaf and grass,
   Let them pass! Let them pass!
   Hill and water under sky,
   Pass them by! Pass them by!

Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun.
 
   Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,
   Let them go! Let them go!
   Sand and stone and pool and dell,
   Fare you well! Fare you well!

Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Then world behind and home ahead,
We'll wander back to home and bed.

   Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,
   Away shall fade! Away shall fade!
   Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,
   And then to bed! And then to bed!"

What's your favorite thing about Tolkien? Do you have a favorite poem of his? Fun facts regarding his genius? Do share!