Chronicler: Hello Alfin, thanks for taking the time to meet with me today.

Alfin: Actually, thank you for even wanting to talk with me. Not many people actually seek me out.

C: Well why don’t you start by telling us a little about yourself. How old are you and where are you from?

A: I’m from Isford, a little village just south of Rost, and I’m 16.

C: And how long have you been doing poetry?

A: Umm, not a real long time. Maybe about eight months?

C: Tell us how you got started.

A: Well, I like to travel around the area a lot and so I see lots of interesting things. One day I started telling my mom about one of the bugs I saw and she said “You are so creative. You should put it into a poem.” So I did. And she loved it. But then she was kidnapped by pirates one day and only left behind the eyepatch that she always wore. So I decided I had to take my poetry on the road, in tribute to her.

C: Wow! That is some story! Did you ever hear from her again?

A: Yeah, when the pirates came back about two months ago she escaped and she even grabbed some of the pirates’ treasure! So she’s back and everything’s fine.

C: Amazing! And what kind of reception have you had in regards to your poetry?

A: I’d say mostly good. I think some poems might make people sad though because when I finish they often give me a sad smile. But they politely applaud me and then I sit back down and quietly listen to the other artists.

C: Do you have any local favorites?

A: I like them all. I feel we have a real strong community of poets and storytellers here in Rost and they are all wonderful.

C: Okay, and now for the question every young lady is dying to hear, do you have a special someone?

A: I…no. No.

C: You hear that ladies? He’s available!

A: No.

C: Would you mind sharing a quick poem with us here?

A: Sure! This is a new one that I haven’t recited yet. It’s up for public debut in four nights at the Half Plat Inn in Rost. But you can hear it here first!

C: Well, actually this won’t be published for about a month.

A: Okay?

C: So they’ll hear it in Rost before they hear it here.

A: But you’ll hear it here first.

C: Alright, you’ve got a point there. Let’s hear it!

A: This poem is called To Feed the Needy.

The golden fields of uncut grain

Will bring a hefty profit.

The bakers who will buy the wheat

Will turn it into bread

The bakers then will make a sale

And have more money in their pocket

The wealthy who will buy it

Will always be well fed.

But to feed the needy is something

That some people do not want

They’ll pay the other farmers

To not plant a lot.

And even though there’s lots of room

In the fields left untended

Supply is low, demand is high

Just as the rich intend it.

C: Well. That was very. Yeah. So one final thing. Do you have any advice for someone thinking about starting on their own poetic journey?

A: I’d say just jump right in. Don’t let anyone get you down. You can be your own worst critic so get on good terms with your critical side or you might talk yourself out of doing it.

C: That’s wise advice, young man. Alfin Jedernukks, everyone! And good night!