"A Secret to Tell"A Poem by James My take on an old story Oh the secrets we dare not tell Dreams tossed down the wishing well Of forbidden love and secret ties, Pain inflicted and long lost lies.
Mine is a story sad to remember About a boy and a girl sound familiar? Our love was forbidden, we couldn’t tell A single soul, less we tempt Hell.
But my loved for her burned too deep, She was the secret I could not keep. So I set out to find someone to share My secret life that wasn’t fair.
I walked for miles and miles until I came To a place so far no man knew my name. I searched the town and all its parts, I walked the streets and slept in its parks.
Until I found a man with a friendly face, A trustworthy old soul, nearing his grace. He sat on the bench that had served as my bed And stared at the trees, singing a song in his head.
In silence, I heard his mournful hymn. As I sat I couldn’t help but listen to him. He sang of love, lost forever, Miracles seen, but regrets, never.
I sat in amazement at the quiet words of my new friend The adventures he’s had and the places he’d been. The stranger spun his tale with rhythm and grace, I nearly forgot what had brought me to this strange distant place.
He said that he had loved the most fairest of maids But, their love was impossible, her father forbade. Because he was poor and didn’t have a spot… And she’d been born from wealthier stock.
He ran away as right he should, With his mind on her, he worked hard as he could; To build a fortune of the right size And return home to claim his prize.
When he came home to resume his life His love had been given to another, as wife. Lost to him for evermore, All his work, he thought, what for?
Again he left to mourn his loss. Her image he carried like a heavy wooden cross. He said he’d been a soldier, a teacher, a poet and a preacher But couldn’t rid his mind of his sweet, delicate creature.
Again he returned home with hopes and he found That his love was still there and yes, still bound. But, she was not happy with her chosen partner, Because he was a cruel man and a lady charmer.
But a chance meeting on the street one day Changed his life and put events into play. On the evening before he had prayed with all his might And the two devised to meet in secret that night.
She came to him in the moonlight, wearing a gown the color of a dove. And for the first time they embraced and shared their sweet love. They continued to meet and undying love he swore For months and months until she came no more.
He didn’t see her again until the cold winds began to blow But, her face shown bright, she was all in a glow. Her abdomen swollen, but still she gave him a smile And he understood at once the reason for her exile.
I told him that was sadder than the most tragic of plays, And he said “no, no my boy I still see her every day. Do you see that grove of trees across the way? You see she died in childbirth and there is where she lay.”
“I come here to sing to her while she rests And wait until I can join her in death. I hope every day that my time is near. I miss my love and of death, I have no fear.”
“Now tell me again why you have come to this faraway place To share a secret with a strange old face? Your story is not new this you know. So go back home. Off you go".
When he had finished I turned to see A sight not so common for you, or for me. There sitting high in a tree was a lone white dove Anxiously waiting for the return of her love.
As I sat another dove came into view. I watched as they spread their wings a flew from my view. A smile gently spread across my face,
Because I knew that my friend had finally found his grace. © 2016 JamesAuthor's Note
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