Dear Reader,
you are about to read my first attempt at writing English poetry. Every blank verse is supposed to be ten syllables long. If you stumble on one that is, however, not ten syllables long, I'll appreciate it, if you tell me. I did not pay much attention to rhythm on this one (unlike the other one I've written), but if you have the feeling some verses are not good at all, any remark on that note will help a great deal. Of course, if you think there are some good verses or stanzas, feedback of that kind will help, too. I had so much fun writing poetry, I am willing to try again. Thanks for your help!!!
And now, enjoy!
Hedda
+++ooo+++
Let me tell you the story often told
To the young and old of this island here
The one about the Waiting Lady who
Always waited for her beloved’s return.
I was a thoughtful lad back in those days
When mighty vessels anchored at our port
Resting exhausted canvas from journeys
A child like me could only daydream of.
‘Twas a sunny day the breeze was gentle
Strolling along the promenade I watched
The hustle and bustle of ships below
When I was enraptured by raven locks.
“Good day, lovely lady. Mind if I ask
What name did your parents choose for this gift
Given from the mistress born in sea foam?”
I used the words I’d once read in a book.
The lady giggled, her smile my reward
Her peach-colored parasol merrily
Danced above her head; the cutest patterns
Circled and graced her like a twinkling crown.
“No need to flatter me since no one does
Unless you count ‘odd one’ as compliment
This is how passersby are calling me
Thinking I’m deaf; my name is Kagome.”
Encouraged by her sweet benevolence
I dared to inquire further, yet I wished
I had not, for her smile vanished at once
A faraway gleam in hazelnut orbs.
“Every day I come to this special place
Where I said goodbye to my beloved
He is first mate and he sailed to warfare
Now I wait for him to return to me.”
I bade my farewell for I had to go
From this day on every time I saw her
I would walk up to her and make her laugh
And she’d tell me about him in return.
‘Twas a windy day, when she told me this:
“Do you see the leaves kissed by autumn’s grace?
Their beauty can’t rival the golden eyes
Of the one for whom I wish to return.”
Her head she held high, her hands protecting
The sweetest secret beneath the corset
The horizon a magnet to her gaze
Eyes set ablaze, she remained defiant.
‘Twas a chilly day, she was rhapsodic:
“This magnificent blanket can’t compete
With the purest white of the silky strands
Of the one for whom I wish to return.”
The white hair, I would not have believed it
If it was not for her young toddlers locks
Who was sleeping peacefully in her arms
Being unaware of his mother’s woe.
As the seasons changed, life went on for all
The islanders, but one: pitied by them
The Waiting Lady never gave up hope
That one day she’d see her beloved again.
What happened to her, you might ask me now
Since you won’t find her at the promenade
Anymore; Kagome and her son they
Disappeared and were never seen again.
The reason I’m so famous on this isle
Is because I was the last to see her
A crisp spring morning I wandered around
When I saw a ship, white body, white sails.
Standing at the vessel’s bow Kagome
Waved happily to me, her eyes shone bright
The golden glance; sailing to horizon
United at last, never to return.
+++ooo+++
Originally posted on February 10th 2011.