upon Bree, the hill
lying at the crossroads of the Great East Road
for there did dwell
both hobbits and men alike
in the confines of the Pony
to gather the start of trials then
three days from the shire walk
to take a pint with free-folk
so even the one ring did pass through
through the gates then to the west
on that final quest upon Mount Doom
to spare the land from foul gaze
the gloom to spread from Mordor’s eye
so, the smallest of things
can conquer dread armies
with hearts larger and stronger
and the indomitable will
that is nourished by friendship and kin.