Old heart three

He appeared out of nowhere 

Holding a dimly lit lamp 

She gasped for she was scared 

A stranger had been watching her 

He had heard her sacred prayers  

She wanted to ask him questions 

Yet another cramp erupted 

She was to weak to run 

Who was this lurking tramp? 

She gazed into his eyes and through her fevered daze 

She finally could see his face 

Brown hair and dark eyes 

A clever foxes smile that seemed a little to wise 

For he was a young man 

Around her age 

Yet at this moment it didn’t matter 

Her rib cage felt on fire 

She wondered if she was imagining 

This prince in white and green 

His voice was soothing and calm 

As he said “I am here to help you madam I can see the way you lay, you cannot stand up, or get on your feet again. If you allow me to lift you I will carry you swiftly to your home. I am not here to hurt you. I mean to bring you no harm. I hope you do say yes. I am a stranger whose name you do not know. Yet I hope you understand, that I am here to protect you and bring you back to your land.” 

She nodded her head in agreement, and he reached with his large hands, picked her up ever so gently and began to follow the stone path. 

Now the gods were angered by this 

Act of good faith 

Who was this young gentleman? 

Making a mock their plans 

Now the gods were not heartless 

And they began to understand 

How inter-fearing with these life forms 

Was a very delicate business 

And should never be decided in haste 

There now was no time to waste 

They began to doubt what they had done 

For time was running out 

The young women grew sicker 

With every quick step the boy took south 

She felt so cold 

Ready to let go 

He began to panic 

Her skin was ice and snow 

At last he reached the little house 

Way up on that green hill 

Busted down her door 

Breaking her window sill 

Her father rushed to greet him 

Obviously flustered he had no idea 

She had run out on a whim 

For a quick midnight swim 

He went to ask who the man was 

As she was laid upon the bed 

Yet with a silent nod he knew her life line was thin 

The young prince was broken 

Tears streamed down his face 

With a whisper he asked her 

Of her secret name 

She told him who she was 

Her body growing lame 

She grasped his hand weakly and looked into those dark eyes 

The words she spoke to him 

He knew were not lies 

“I will see you again my friend, I know our time was short. I feel as if I owe you, for taking me to my bed. With my last breath I will tell you that I love you.  That I vow to repay you, somehow or someway. I am sure we shall meet again one day. I do not know if our time will always be fleeting, but I will promise you one thing, in our next meeting, I will recognize you in my heart and in my head. 

And with those words she passed

In the most unexpected way 

This story explains a curse 

Between two lovers 

Strung together by the past 

It was never safe for them 

To ever be with each other 

For if their paths become crossed 

The way is twisted and it is easy to get lost 

They shall trip on many knots 

There are not many loopholes 

Only messy thoughts 

Have comfort in knowing 

It is an everlasting bond 

Of friendship that was discovered  

On a misty night by a large pond