Andrew's Wife
Her name was Julianne, she was not a pretty girl
With a countenence so plain, manners like a squirrel
She’d never had a suitor, old maid at twenty-one
Might just as well shoot her, her life was all but done
The proposal came by mail, envelope in tatters
No faster than a snail, as news seldom matters
A poorly written note, sent more than two months back
That set her heart afloat, thoughts on another track
The note began “Dear Julie” its only words endearing
Clear down to “yours truly” and frankly left her tearing
Andrew was her cousin, but not that close in kin
The years had been a dozen, he was a kid back then
He wanted her to marry, says he has need of a wife
She wouldn’t have to carry much stuff to her new life
The house was full supplied, with all his parent's things
As they both had died, he even had their rings
The note was signed “Andy” with a blurred inky script
He also sent some candy, but the wrapping had been ripped
She paused a moment to reflect, she’d do best to get away
Not be viewed as a reject, but what would her folks say
She would tell them at supper, for she was a woman grown
They couldn’t hardly whup her, time to get out on her own
Her mama started crying, her pa just fell quiet
“It aint like she’s dying, we should let her try it”
So Julie packed her clothes, and put them in a satchel
In the morning she rose, as if all was natural
She took the noonday stage, and left in a cloud of dust
Skimming across the sage, and left that town to rust
Author notes
This follows some of my previous poetry written titled, Just Another Day. I am not sure if it fits the requirements for this contest, but I was inspired by the poem by Evans. I just needed a little push....
In a list
A contest entry
- Women of the West/ Frontier/Highlands/ Wilderness/Outback #72 by Lyndon.
2600 points, ended May 6, 2008, 8 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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She sounds like a fun candidate for an entire book in rhyme.
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NIce work and a great tale. Makes me want to jump in and read more of the others.
Thank you for a splendid entry. Beat of luck in the judging. ~Pamela
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Thank you for the comment, the story is becoming extensive, I may post some more of it soon.
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a good poem, good rhythm and rhyme here and the poem reads quite quickly i think, this is the first one from the series so i will have to nosey in some of the others too to pick it up and fit them together
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That's a great portrayal of life in the West and reads well. I liked the closing line reminds me of something I might say. Happy trails neighbor
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