A ballad

[Luckieman]

Thanks for clarifying, and I'm fine with that - the word has a fairy tale effect (which I seem to have wanted). But a demo of the general problem I mentioned can be found at a web site called Pretend Genius, and dozens (if not more) of self-proclaimed pundits prohibit 'shard' for no robust reason I can establish. A lot of folk seem to assume that only everyday vernacular is acceptable in poetry, but I think that narrows our options too much. For example I've used the word 'fardel' (last seen in the mouth of Hamlet maybe) because of its delightful double meaning - a burden, or a quarter part of something. Words are amazing companions, provided one gives them enough attention, both as writer and as reader.