In Outremer, where now alone I lodge,
A vis-reine of my Empress, how I fail
Her edicts and her laws; in vain I dodge
The stinging lash of Moses’ fiery hail!
For who can be a vassal in this place,
Where I have made my heart the strongest keep?
Bid me return to look upon your face!
To stay here is a kind of waking sleep…
Those merry days! When I was of your court
We laughed, by marble minaret and dome;
To cool and fragrant gardens we’d resort…
Send out your barquentine to bring me home!
No, here in Outremer I end my days,
And ever at a blank horizon gaze.
Author notes
Written July 22nd, 2006
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Thank you, Jilli.
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Deep, full of meaning. Causes me to ponder many things... Lovely my dear
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Thanks TD - catch you on Yahoo some time, I hope.
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My favorite lines are the last two in this piece. "No, here in Outremer I end my days,
And ever at a blank horizon gaze." It makes me think. Almost pushing me into pondering thoughts. Great write -
Michael, I love that you smiply love it!
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Ah, the ghost in the redoubt! Loved it! Simply loved it!
Edited on Jul 23, 6:05 p.m. because 'sp'. -
Tangle - did I ever say I wanted to know about your fantasies? ... Thanks for dropping by, glad you liked it.
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Sis, shiniest one, thank you
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Dear Mairi,
The castle of stone near the sea. Landscape of poetry captured by your words.
Great combination with the picture.
I think we all have fantasized about sleeping in one.
Your barm-pot,
Tangle -
Rather ghostly sounding, this one. I like it; although I suspect I am taking it much too literally. As Cheryl said, it is a poem of deep emotion. Wonderful poem, Sis! Shiny One
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Cheryl, I am glad you liked this one. I have never visited Crac des Chevaliers. It is in the Middle East, and is an almost intact Crusader castle. The Crusaders called their kingdom in the Holy Land "Outremer" which literally means (er...) "on the other side of the sea" (or something)
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LOL - the picture is of Crac des Chevaliers in the Holy Land, and no I didn't get that far on my vacation. Glad you liked the poem.
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A beautiful sight, though prision to a broken heart, Wonderful poem with deep emotion and an old worldish feel to it. The picture makes me want to come there to visit.
Cheryl
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A thrill to see and read
Ah, so elegant and beautiful this is! Did you see it on your vacation? Wish I could have come along, for seeing the picture makes me yearn and reading your poem makes me very glad! Historical sites are wonderful and inspiring and make me want to learn and learn.
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