The Camelot That Was Not

The Camelot That Was Not

By Elton Camp

Arthur was a king both wise and good.
He always did exactly what he should.
Sat with his knights at a table round.
Because equality would then abound.

Manly, virtuous, kind, tall
These they were, one and all.
And Arthur always kept near 
The beautiful queen Guinevere.

His knights were in shining armor clad.
The hearts of his subjects they made glad.
Not one of them would ever delay
When a fearsome dragon was to slay.

Right at Arthur’s side
Old Merlin did reside.
Another wizard as powerful as he
The whole world would never see.

And what is that castle so fair?
It must be Camelot over there.
Any enemy would have to fail
Those steep, high walls to scale.

But of this idealized man and place,
Sadly, British history holds no trace.
Geoffery of Monmouth is to blame
For making this most bogus claim.

Back when little history I knew,
I blindly assumed it to be true.
Prince Valiant confirmed it all
From the time when I was small.

The sad fact I had missed:
Arthur did not ever exist.
I regretted that I misunderstood.
Arthur never lived, but he should.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

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November 14, 2010 at 9:10 AM
Elton, in 500 AD there was a "Romanized Briton" who is thought to be the man behind the stories of King Arthur. The BBC did a series on an excavation near Cadbury in Britain and found what appears to be the remains of the "Camelot" castle. I am convinced there is something behind this "legend" after doing much research on it. I really love your poem! Love, Carolyn
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