Alisa

I couldn’t sleep in the stableyard,

I couldn’t sleep in the house,

I crept around in the dark out there

As quiet as any mouse,

With just one name in my fevered brain

It was all I could do to think,

Alisa, oh Alisa, you

Have blotted my mind with ink.

 

Since ever you came to stay last month

I’ve been besotted with you,

My eyes would follow you round the room

Though I hadn’t wanted them to,

I hoped that your eyes would follow me

As I served the Lord, His Grace,

Dressed in the finest livery

But you turned away your face.

 

I know I’m only a servant here

But my heart’s as big as the Moon,

And you are the daughter of an Earl

With a fortune coming soon,

You could have your pick of a dozen men

With titles, Barons and Earls,

But you’ll never find love as deep and fine

As the meanest of servant girls.

 

For you have money and they have love,

For that is all that they want,

While you’re betrothed to a Stately Home

And a man of provenance,

He’ll barely notice you once you’ve wed

Your fortune to his estate,

He’ll sit at the gambling tables, while

You’re pondering on your fate.

 

He’ll sally forth in his hunting while

He’ll keep you busy at home,

Lording it over the servants hall

Or you’ll spend your hours alone.

Once he’s certain that you’re enceinte

He’ll look in, once in a while,

To see that you raise the future Lord

In a certain lordly style.

 

Alisa, why can’t you see it

You could be more than fancy free,

Roaming over the countryside

In a horse and chaise, with me,

We’d sleep out there in a haystack

Under the warm and starry skies,

And every time that you looked my way

You’d see lovelight in my eyes.

 

I’d treat you more like a princess than

Some lord, with cynical stare,

Who leaves to meet with his mistress

In some attic, in Mayfair,

We’d find us a little cottage

On the moors, you’d bake the bread,

We’d drink the fruit of the vine until

It’s time to go to bed.

 

My heart is just about bursting, so

I’ve written you this note,

Thinking you’ll never find it, but

I can always live in hope,

I’ll always love you Alisa, ‘til

The stars fall from the sky,

And when I am old I’ll read it, and

I’ll sit and wonder - ‘Why?’

 

You must have gone through my letters

For you stare, as never you’ve done,

Dressed in a pair of jodhpurs

With your hair, tied up in a bun,

You turn and beckon me out to you

And my heart drops down to the floor,

You say, ‘I haven’t a chaise, my love,

I’ve got us a coach and four!’

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Glen Yumang Manese]

Every time I read one of yours --- I know what to expect...I mean --- the style...not the story...but...always leaves the reader with a refreshing outlook at your work...let me know when you do another voice prompt of these verses...gives that add touch --- good to read you again...

[Alisa Js]

Aloha from Hawaii,

I love this poem! It is very well written and full of emotional and visual imagery and takes the reader on a grand journey of the mind!

How wonderful to see my name here....

Alisa :-)

[Woody]

I'm glad you featured this one as it is obviously an old one. always a pleasure to read you.
thank God for David on this site.

[JM Russell]

The choice between love and money seems to be a common dilemma causing many to make choices. Only the truly wise make the right choice. I am glad she was smart.

[Carolann Dowsett]

So wonderful. I'd marry for love over money any day. another awesome wtite David.

[TPK Stories]

Nice romantic story..

[Joseph A. Noon]

Wow, nice work David. I loved the play of words, very reminiscent of (Wuthering Heights).

[Tate Morgan]

That was great i have to admiot i had to look up a couple words I didnt get. The truth of colonial rule and imperialist lifestyle. sad but true .Money and happiness are two things that seem diametrically opposed . I myself married for love not money.But to think many women marry for security.Life is never truly secure .Death hauints us all . There has never been an earl or king who was immune from disease or pain. We are all here on borrowed time. Best to love the life you have been given and shun the falsities of privledge

[spiritwind]

Excellent!!
I love the ending which I never saw coming!
This is such a sweet jewel
thank you for writing it
and sharing it with us.

[Scott S]

This is your second work that I have read in the last few minutes. It's obvious to me that you are a master story teller and a great writer. I could feel the pain in your heart as you hoped that Alisa would someday notice you. And the ending was so refreshing.
Really nice work, David. Truly.