He watched ere she might pass this place, as oft she did indeed,
And huddled ‘gainst the blowing rain that env’ous fate decreed
Should on this day when heart and mind once more o’ercame mistrust,
Obscure the sun and summer sky – it seemed unfair, unjust.
For how could she of noble birth, on such a day as this,
When he awoke with newfound strength and cast-off cowardice,
Encased in carriage curtained off against the mist and gloom,
Now see the one whom fate decreed to be her handsome groom?
The silence hovers, ominous, as folk avoid the road.
The muted words, not heard today, are omened and forebode
The meeting that may not take place, a dream still unfilled,
Our fellow left beside this lane, rain-drenched, alone and chilled.
From way far off he hears the sound, a horse’s labored snort.
Then squishing sound of hooves in mud, her liveried escort.
And then a squeaking sound of wheels, the carriage swings in view.
An inhaled breath stills pounding heart, he knows not what he’ll do.
A smile then fills his whiskered face, his chest thrust out with pride,
And if this scruffy man is groom, someone must be his bride.
The prancing steeds, befouled with mud, approach our erstwhile swain,
Whose soul spills out through glist’ning eyes, with joy he can’t contain.
The carriage swerves, the horses strain, the reinsman cracks his whip.
The scraggly stranger standing by remains unseen this trip.
Besmirched by mud the horses throw, he waves as she sweeps past,
No disappointment in his heart, his hope remains steadfast.
Tis only time he tells himself and curses at the rain,
For if the sun would only shine he knows his Lady Jane
Could see him from her carriage seat and smile and beckon hence;
He’d join her in that cozy place and share her innocence.
Alas till then he’ll wander off to seek sustaining fare,
But when tomorrow dawns at last you’ll find him waiting there.
And there he’ll wait the lady’s coach, much as he’s done before,
Not letting loose nor giving up, he’s faithful o’er and o’er.
Bronze trophy winner
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