Black Breath

A dismal world, and every path is steep
as Meriadoc plods back into town
but he's sworn oaths that he intends to keep

they'll get back up when Hobbits get knocked down.

The lady Eowyn stood not alone
the morgul lord was fool to overlook
her ally with a sharp sword all his own
be he a Brandybuck, or doughty Took.

When Fangorn Wood has marched on Isengard
The undead Angmar king confronts his death

'though Tolkien points no footnote toward the Bard
the reader calls to mind scenes of 'Macbeth'.

Old oaths his father's fathers swore before
king Theoden fulfilled for Denethor.