Poems from Ashas Ree
Shaw Brandes
My name is Shaw Brandes, a poet and tour guide based on Ashas Ree in the Outer Rim. I was born on Naboo and moved to this forest planet with my mother and adoptive father when I was a youngling. Like many others, we arrived as pilgrims and ultimately decided to stay, trading our ship for a livable stall in ARTO, the Ashas Ree Trading Outpost. My writing reflects my interests in the Force and in nature, plus the love of my home and the people who live here.
ARTO (Ashas Ree Trading Outpost)
You’ll find all the essentials in ARTO;
medicine, food, and common parts.
And you can buy some luxuries also;
the finest clothing, teas, and art.
Here, I’ve met Bith, Rodians, and Lurmen,
plus Chadra-Fans, Gran, and Huloons;
but the people who live here are human,
over half of us from Naboo.
So, when Gorvokk’s parents purchased a stall,
at first, it caused a commotion;
but it took the outpost no time at all
to welcome the kind Trandoshans.
I later found out that they’re pacifists
who left a violent planet.
They sensed the peacefulness of this forest
the moment their shuttle landed.
Gorvokk and I were sixteen at the time
and liked each other instantly.
Everything changed when Gorvokk arrived.
I viewed my world differently.
I have all the essentials in ARTO;
family, nature, and Gorvokk.
He and I now share a stall and a home;
we have all that we need. And want.
D-14L
The only resident droid on Ashas Ree
is known by a number of titles:
Dee-Fourteen-Ell,
Dee-Fourteen,
or simply
Dee.
But, to me, he’ll always be
Dial;
our master of
Dial-ogue and
Dial-ects.
He was first programmed as a server.
Now, he’s the interpreter of the market
and our link to many off-worlders.
He’s translated countless romantic phrases,
love poems,
love stories, and
love songs.
He’s said
“I love you”
in fifty languages
as a birthday gift
from Dad
to Mom.
And now,
Dial is trying to teach me Dosh
so I can surprise my spouse
someday.
Perhaps he’s dreaming
about a droid he knows
out in the galaxy, far away...
The Temple Grounds
The ancient Sith, and then the Jedi,
Erected their temples on this site,
Both sensing the strength of the Force here;
A perfect balance of dark and light.
The temple of the Sith is buried;
The Jedi temple, breaking apart.
Yet, the broken and buried endure;
A fragile balance of light and dark.
The first tree to take root on this world
Stood for millennia at this site;
The first in a planet-wide forest
That holds the balance of dark and light.
The trees are the only true temples,
The Force astir in their leaves and bark,
Their roots both above and below ground;
A perfect balance of light and dark.
But Which One is Which?
Inspired by an emblem at ARTO's
Temple of the Force (pictured above)
The Fish and the Snake
Are Decay and Growth,
Nightfall and Daybreak,
Despair, and New Hope.
The Snake and the Fish
Divide and Unite.
They are Grief and Bliss,
The Dark Side, and Light.
Dark Tales of Ashas Ree
There are tales of Kowakian Ape-Lizards
who escaped a visitor’s ship;
ferocious giants who prey on lone hikers
and crush bones with their monstrous fists...
And there are tales of a nightmarish spectre
that haunts us when darkness settles;
the raging spirit of an ancient Sith Lord
who’s bound to a buried temple...
In truth, the Root Toad is the only beast here
who might drive you into hiding.
They’re small, they’re harmless;
but, if startled, they sound
like multiple blasters firing!!!
Bird Facts: What I Know About Orpellu (So Far)
-
Singular and plural are both “Orpellu”
-
Mostly orange, but wing feathers are black and blue
-
Smaller than Nunas, with two wings, straight black beak,
four blue eyes, short neck, two black legs, three-toed feet
-
One form is flightless, with short tails and small wings
-
I call them Divers because they swim in streams
-
-
Other form has flight, with lengthy wings and tails
-
I call those Gliders, elegant wings like sails
-
-
Common song is two notes, with changes in pitch
-
Gliders catch Parvinoths; Divers catch small fish
-
Pairings are always one Glider, one Diver
-
Paired birds feed each other; both food groups required
-
Nests are built among roots of large Temple Trees
-
Constructed of sap and twigs, plus mud and reeds
-
-
One sex; both Orpellu lay single black eggs
-
Incubation is shared and takes fifteen days
-
Hatchlings are always one Diver, one Glider
-
At twelve days, the chicks are swimmers and flyers
-
Juveniles’ feathers are mottled and duller
-
Before finding mates, siblings feed each other
-
For courtship, a Diver gifts shells or pebbles;
in exchange, a Glider gifts leaves or petals
-
The two forms are equal in all that they do
-
I think of the Force when I see Orpellu
Flightless
I’ve never observed
a Diver Orpellu fly,
but I imagine they could
if they chose to try.
Like me, they may simply
prefer to be flightless,
with no ambition to get
their pilot’s license.
Business Plan
My father keeps nunas,
sells their eggs at the market.
Well, he will. As soon as
he stops eating omelettes.
Ashas Tea (My Mother’s Tea Stall)
She says “Let me pour you your heart’s aspiration!”
For some, she will offer a dream destination:
“Visit the dazzling casinos of Canto Bight!
A cup of blue honeycup will save you the flight!”
“Take a sip, not a ship!” is a line she might say,
Or else “The galaxy’s only a steep away!”
For energy: “Caf from the mountains of Endor!”
For health: “A cassius tea blend from Mandalore!”
And for a flavour found only on Ashas Ree:
“A special brew from the leaves of the Temple Tree!”
It has my favourite sales pitch: “Drink up! Drink up!
There are two drops of the Force in every cup!”
Sure, it’s just for effect; but she might be correct.
When she offers a cup, I will always accept.
Tours of the Force
Gorvokk and I created Tours of the Force,
catered to pilgrimage groups on Ashas Ree.
Tours cover the Temple of the Force, of course,
its architecture and Jedi history,
combined with tales of evil, and evil’s source:
the ancient Sith temple that still lurks beneath.
Forest tours focus on using our senses.
As we walk among towering Temple Trees,
we become attuned to the Force’s presence
in the flora and fauna of Ashas Ree;
like the Parvinoth’s bioluminescence
or the Orpellu’s life of duality.
We often have groups that only need one guide,
but Gorvokk and I will always jointly lead.
Our tours are better when we work side by side.
“Together,” I told him, “we’re bound to succeed!”
A pause; then the beaming Trandoshan replied,
“Like two halves of the Force, we’re a perfect team!”
Devastation
A man in black… His grief… His ire…
Using the Force... to crush my throat…
It’s darker here… It’s quieter...
The Force… It lifts me up… I float...
: : : : :
We wake to screams: “Hurry!!!” and “Fire!!!”.
The air is thick with choking smoke.
PANIC. “Gorv, is this the Empire?!
Have they come to destroy our home?!”
Gorv knows this fear… a fear inspired
by the Death Star… All of those souls...
His hand is a warm reminder;
no matter what, I’m not alone.
But we don’t confront the Empire
when we rush out to find our folks.
We face, instead, a forest fire;
devastation that sparks new growth.
Forest people are braced for fires,
for harmful smoke to reach our homes.
We have masks with purifiers
and plans in place to help us cope.
When one is wanted or required,
there are camps not far from ARTO.
A group will stay to curb the fire,
but most will leave until it slows.
: : : : :
My greatest fear did not transpire,
yet visions linger like a ghost...
The man in black... The vile Empire...
I feel their grips around my throat.
Faith
Most people believe
the Jedi are gone.
They call us naive;
but we know they’re wrong.
We Found Something
The book was hidden in the temple,
empty, except for one written page.
And the meaning of this ancient text?
We can really only speculate.
D-14L wants to be helpful,
but, to the droid’s absolute dismay,
he’s not programmed with this alphabet
(which he vows to rectify with haste).
Gorvokk believes it’s a Jedi spell
to keep evil Sith spirits at bay,
while all four of our parents suggest
it’s a poem, or a song, of praise.
Me, I dream it will aid the rebels
who fight to keep the galaxy safe;
that these words hold forgotten secrets
Jedi can wield as a force for change.
A Voorpak Called Bark
D-14L might be the only droid
Who has a creature companion;
An off-worlder had been eager to trade
The voorpak for a translation.
She’s small and furry with eight twiggy legs,
And is undeniably cute;
But her wrath is big. And her teeth are sharp
(The scar on my ankle is proof!).
Bark may loathe people, but she loves that droid;
They share a language all their own.
And Dial is thrilled that she crossed the stars
To make him her forever home.
A Nerve-Racking Turn of Events
Gorv and I led a Force tour today
for someone with their own book to trade:
Naf, a poet from Cadomai Prime.
As we stood inside the Jedi shrine,
I divulged that I write poetry,
to which Naf replied delightedly:
“Then, Shaw, I must share a stage with you!
This temple... it’s a perfect venue
for us writers to recite our art!”
The Snivvian’s words had lit a spark,
and soon I found myself agreeing
to help set up a public reading (!!!).
Naf can’t stay long, so... tomorrow night!?
Mom will bring the tea, and Dad, the lights;
Dial is more than happy to host.
As for Gorv, I made him swear an oath:
whatever happens at my debut,
he’ll still love me. Even if I puke.
after the reading
having a caf and a laugh with Naf
after having a blast with our craft
Tea and Pie
My mother tells strangers that Gorvokk and I
are like Silverio Tea and Hubbard Pie:
"From two different worlds, yet destined to be
the best pairing in all of the galaxy!”
A Dream
The outpost is deserted…
Where did everyone go?
A young girl… wait... a Jedi?
She’s entering the temple…
There’s a voice… calling for help...
This way… into the shadows...
: : : : :
Then the shadows disappear;
I wake to a soothing glow.
A quintet of Parvinoths
have come in through the window;
and the dream that felt so real
flutters off to where dreams go.
This World
I’ve been taking time to look at the world.
Studying creatures. Plants. The elements.
Hearing the stories of those who live here.
Researching the past. Searching the present.
I’ve been taking time to look at the parts,
And each one is a complex work of art.
I’ve been taking time to look at the world.
Gorvokk and I even borrowed a ship;
We viewed our green planet from outer space,
A gorgeous flight all the way around it.
I’ve been taking time to look at the whole,
And, from a distance, it seems so simple.
I’ve been taking time to look at my world
At my relationships. What makes me tick.
I’ve been questioning my place in the world.
What should I be doing? How do I fit?
I’ve been taking time to look at myself.
And still don’t have anything figured out.
Alone
Gorv and I love this spot and we camp here
often, but this time I’ve come on my own.
I sit under the stars in a small clear-
ing, tent and fire on my left and the stone
ruins of a house on my right. The years
have slowly reduced the once-cozy home
into crumbling, roofless walls, overgrown
and silent. We don’t know who settled here,
but I’m writing the story of a clone
who didn’t believe in war like his peers,
who fled during a supply run and roamed
the forest until reaching this spot, near-
ly five days on foot from ARTO. He’s here
still, his house intact and warm, and unknown
to the residents of the outpost. We’re
more alike, he and I, when I’m alone
in this place. The only voices we hear
are night birds, Root Toads, and an insect’s drone,
and that of our own
inner thoughts and fears.
The View from Here
Dedicated to Gorvokk
A Parvinoth with wings of light:
Ready
Liftoff
Up, up it flies
Beyond those wings, a joyful tree:
Arms wide
Birds singing
Dancing leaves
Beyond those boughs, an easy sky:
Soft blue
No clouds
No end in sight
Beyond that sky, a galaxy:
Awesome
Lovelike
Immensity
The Parvinoth Tree
There’s a Temple Tree north of ARTO
that locals call The Parvinoth Tree,
where, for three days of every year,
those glowing insects gather to breed.
It’s not the tallest nor the broadest;
not the leafiest, nor the oldest.
Yet, for three days of every year,
it is the chosen of the forest.
That tree, lit up with thousands of wings,
is wondrous beyond comprehension;
and those three days of every year
are days of thanks and celebration.
Force-Sensitive?
Orpellu sing when they see her
My dad’s nunas race to greet her
Parvinoths flutter above her
Even Dial’s voorpak loves her
So I cannot help but wonder
Vivid Dream
A Zeltron Jedi… laboured breathing…
lying… dying on the forest floor…
She takes a stone from her weapon’s hilt…
a crystal… glowing and blue… It’s warm…
An Orpellu’s voice in the treetops…
The Zeltron hears it… lifts the crystal…
first with her hand… then… using the Force…
It floats… The Jedi strains… She whistles…
The bird swoops down and catches the stone…
Then… the scene shifts… An Orpellu pair…
A Temple Tree… A nest among roots…
In the nest… the Jedi’s stone… it’s there…
The dream shifts again… Another tree…
No… the same one... time has passed… it’s grown…
The crystal… engulfed by roots… unseen…
: : : : :
I wake, and know where to find the stone.
Camby’s Offer
This place comes alive when Camby arrives
with her shipment of precious cargo:
new stock and fresh foods from far-off Naboo,
the homeworld of many in ARTO.
For ARTO’s seamstress: a large wooden chest
filled with exquisite fabrics and threads.
And for Ashas Tea: a delivery
of Mom’s favourite Karlini blends.
For Taste of Naboo: scrumptious Gungan Stew
that Camby’s own family supplies.
There’s product for all of our market stalls
and many other treasures besides.
Her big Gungan smile’s most radiant while
she’s distributing personal gifts:
handwritten letters (Few things are better!)
and thoughtful tokens from those we miss.
But it's not the stuff she brings that I love;
it's our visits when the work is done.
She's been a good friend since we were both ten,
when she shadowed her dad on these runs.
Now, it’s her business, and Camby’s visits
have been increasing as business booms;
and she’s asked if we (Gorv and I) could be
enticed to holiday on Naboo...
As Camby’s shipmates, we’d be hauling freight,
but have plenty of time for leisure.
She’d show us wonders in Otoh Gunga,
then leave us in Theed to adventure.
I’ve longed to explore my old world with Gorv,
and, in only twelve weeks, we’d come back...
How could we resist an offer like this?
Camby’s given us two days to pack!
While I Was Napping
A young padawan… a Peasle… dancing?
It’s a performance on the temple steps…
The temple… it’s newer, brighter… no cracks…
The dance… it’s silly and fun, but complex…
Younglings are watching… delighted, laughing…
The orange-shelled Peasle curls into a ball…
then rolls down the steps… the younglings cheering…
A comical crash with a market stall…
: : : : :
The sound of Gorv’s voice. His hand on my arm;
shaking me awake to stop my clapping.
It feels like all of it really happened,
like I glimpsed the past while I was napping.
