Wandering through the castle keep
I found a wall o’er which to peek,
‘twas there a maiden I did see,
a-writing of her poetry.
A prisoner from all but me,
who found the tree so nigh the wall.
she was not captive there at all,
but none would set her free.
She looked a jewel in the sun
with palest flaxen hair so long
it seemed it was of silver spun
and hung a halo ‘pon her face,
so genteel, yea so full of grace,
did set my heart a merry pace.
I yearned to set her free.
Each day beneath a clear blue sky
a thread and needle they would ply,
at work upon a tapestry,
with three young maids for company.
Or play the lute and sing so sweet
birds would gather on the bough,
or nestle at her feet.
So oft I heard her long sad sigh,
perceived the tears fall from her eyes,
so troubled by her loneliness
I vowed to find the reason why.
It did not take too long to share
tales abroad at the local fair.
that she, a lady of pure blood,
refused to marry where she should.
And so denied the right to choose
the family festered much abuse,
‘with castle and a pot of gold
the rich man was not hard to lose,’
Each day they played the same refrain.
for fortune and the family name
in truth would never be the same.
so old maid she’d remain.
Each night I lay beneath that tree
ocean of stars for company
t’was all I had, my destiny,
as ever, never clear could be.
But now that scourge, reality.
paraded there in front of me
A soldier and his trusty pack
on sprightly horse- and at his back,
the lady I now loved there sat
a-clinging, close, in comfort shared.
Then on a whim she turned and spat
all her venom where true love sat
tossed down her loneliness that I
might in her place just wilt and die.
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Such a poignant story, this ode to loneliness. You've really brought the mood of medevil to life in the simpleness of the hours played by one alone. I love that time period, but I don't know that I could exist there. Interesting rhyme variations, but your meter is very good and reads great aloud.
Let the ink flow!
many blessings, Sandi
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This lyrical verse deserves to be set to music by a balladeer. Gentle rhythms and lovely rhyme set a medieval mood and the meter has a "folk song" quality too. Very nicely written. Peace, Liz
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Thank you so much for the fine comment, made me smile, I had not thought of it that way,
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The rythym and rhyme flow so nicely
Very well done as it captures the age as well
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Oh my...I'm searching for my voice...
ronnica, you have written this which such exquisite rhyming and imagery; with such brillance and timing. I have not read much from you I see, but take off my hat earnestly. Your formula for this it seems, was to drench it in olden dreams. Novice though I am, at poetry - I know what I like visually. This is simply extraordinary. Thank you for posting it and best to you in the contest.
AsIThink...
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Well written and a lovely poem, but you didn't actually address the prompt at all. I asked you to reveal to me a miracle within the everyday world, and you gave me a tragedy from an era gone by. I'd love to reward you for the enchanting -if rather sad- story, and added charm of a well done ryhme that gives it a feel of the old ballads they sung back then, but you still completely missed the prompt.
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This does capture the era well, when family fortunes and marriage were synonomous. The expectations would have created alot of pressure on those that were unwed. I like the part about how they would spent their time, doing tapestry and singing to music played on a lute. In the movies, it just seems like they had sooo much time back then. Who has time for needlepoint these days!
A great write, and lovely story. Best of luck in the contest...alby
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Thank you alby, Your time for such things is still to come. its in the stars.
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G day swan, i've not done one of these in a long time. it just seemed to push its way in, So glad you liked it, Thank you for your encouragement.
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outstanding!
Gosh this is so good, i was completely enthralled by your story, and the imagery was amazing..this also had a great rhythm and flow to it..tight rhyme..yeah, i love this write!
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she didn't want to be passed around like a piece of candy, and chose just one love is that so wrong?
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Thank you
Family fortunes were everything in those days and women had no choices
except to hear and obey. -
nicely written poem tho
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