The Waiting Lady by Hedda

The Waiting Lady

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.