The Caves of Ismaron

I can’t actually remember if I’ve ever posted The Caves on this site, it’s been published a few times so it’s hard to recollect where it’s been, but it’s one worth reposting, and in the coming days I will post the two follow-ups, which are quite different.

There is a huge story behind this poem, I wrote the first two lines down in 1996, and then the muse just shut up. It was in the early 2000s that I was having another poetry writing moment, when lines 3 onwards just downloaded. There is no doubt in my mind that this poem and it’s 2 followers were channelled, they came down absolutely complete. The second poem came through in September 2015, just after my mother died, and the third in 2016, just after her younger sister died. Odd timing and I have never seen a particular reason for it. I’d always wondered quite what the caves were, and those two clarified matters very neatly. So here is the beauty that started it all.

Deep are the caves of Ismaron 
where the Hoogles and Floogles have already gone
They’ve stolen the map and shredded the guide
if you don’t know the way then you’re sure to arrive
If you do know the way then you’ll only get bored
and miss all the signposts that should be ignored

It’s vital your knowing just where you are going
in this place where the under is over the ground
in time without measure in search of a treasure
which never (was) hidden so can(not) be found

The folks you encounter will measure your worth
if the Hoogles are picky the Floogles are worse
they’ve negative standards and punitive means
and nothing is ever quite not what it seems

For the faint-hearted fool can be fooled by the wise
and the wise can be fooled by the Ismaron’s lies
If the wise and the foolish are one and the same 
then you’ll need to know some of the rules of this game

You were conceived in a mist and then born in a fog
and kissing a prince(ss) only gets you a frog
The light that you’re seeking has never been seen
but it is where you are and it was where you’ve been

So if you’ve the courage and if you’ve the nouse
(and if you’ve the key to get out of your house)
If you’re willing to finish what wasn’t begun
and to wander at night by the light of the sun
you may well discover the Ismaron’s lair
which could be a fable and may (not) be there


Deb Hawken (©)
1996 – 2000 - ish