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Open Poetry #44
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Windhover
Member
since 2003-11-17
Posts 179
UK

0 posted 2009-03-12 05:12 PM



They say that if you looked across the meadows when the day was late,
you could see her standing on the hill above the old Estate;
gazing with unseeing eyes; all lost, in times long gone before;
The daughter of the Local Squire; the tragic Lady Eleanor.

Her story is a tragedy, of young love slaughtered, out of hand;
of Class intransigence, which, in Edwardian times, still stalked the land.
Her heinous crime? She fell in love...
the blacksmith's son; she was sixteen.
Her father forbade any meeting; the Family name, she would demean.

This tragic couple met no more than once... or twice, or so they say;
the merest handful of sweet kisses... nothing else, most certainly.
For, she was watched; and when the time for shoeing horses came around...
they locked her in her room; so, of the boy, she had no sight, nor sound.

The story might well end here... just a first, young love, that could not be;
but there is more. Dark clouds were gathering over Europe, threateningly.
Spurred, by this simple act of bigoted, parental arrogance...
the boy, heartbroken... volunteered; and marched away to fight in France.

And, in the first month of the War, at some Entrenchment... some Redoubt;
with death, he kept his rendezvous... and felt the Reaper's hand reach out.
In bloody Flanders field he lies; just seventeen, his dreams... no more;
alone out there, forgotten... but, still loved by Lady Eleanor.

When, in time, her father died, and the Estate came to her hand,
the meadow, where she first had kissed the blacksmith's son, was pasture land.
She saw that it was yearly ploughed, left fallow... no crop there, she said;
and, in time the poppies grew... a carpet of the deepest red.

Just like the fields in Flanders where her first, and only love still slept;
Lady Eleanor had no more loves... her faithful vigil kept
to the memory of her one, and only love... the blacksmith's son;
the true love of her life, whom she remembered with each evening sun.

Standing, gazing... lost in time... alone except for memories.
Perhaps, of what there might have been... long lost, beneath that blood-red sea
of gently swaying poppies fading purple in the setting sun...
they say she stood there, motionless; until the Sun's last rays had gone.

But that was long ago, although the poppy field is there today;
and Lady Eleanor died long ago; but locally, they say
if lovers meet in Flanders Acre, the name the field is known by, now;
they will remain together... always, if their whispered words are true.

And Flanders Acre holds no echo of the sadness of the past.
Perhaps, the soul of Eleanor met with her long-lost love at last.
Perhaps... together, on the hill, they watch the poppies sway and blow;
and see the lovers, hand in hand...
Yes... I would like to think it so.



© Copyright 2009 Windhover - All Rights Reserved
SEA
Deputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
1 posted 2009-03-12 07:12 PM


you make me want to go there, touch the flowers...see with my heart.
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
2 posted 2009-03-18 12:24 PM


Wonderful story, as usual, Windhover.
                               Ida

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
3 posted 2009-03-18 01:36 PM


Ah, Poet. Well done.
By stanza five I had goosebumps
by seven tears stung my eyes.

Thank you for this lovely, touching story.


A Romantic Heart
Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496
Forever In Your Heart
4 posted 2009-03-18 07:19 PM




As a poetess, nothing is more sad to me, than love in this life, meant to be, but divided, cut, slain, before it has time to live, breathe, make memories...

That is why I cried for three days, yes three days after watching the movie "Titanic" and another favorite of mine "The Illusionist" which your poem here describes the beginning of the movie so closely...I thought of this movie as I read your poem!

~ARH

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
5 posted 2009-03-18 09:08 PM


Enjoyed this write! ~ Described it perfectly


ARCTIC WIND

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
6 posted 2009-03-20 09:27 PM


great talent
LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
7 posted 2009-03-20 10:03 PM



And Flanders Acre holds no echo of the sadness of the past.
Perhaps, the soul of Eleanor met with her long-lost love at last.
Perhaps... together, on the hill, they watch the poppies sway and blow;
and see the lovers, hand in hand...
Yes... I would like to think it so.

Windover, absolutely top accolades for this heart wrenching, touching story, I take my hat off to you my friend for the way you told it with a real touch of expertise.
A big hug to you dear lady.

Lindsay  

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