North Country Girl

Let the beautiful laws prevail. Let us not weary ourselves by resisting them. - Thoreau

glittering in late afternoon light

untold wealth in a clinquant dress of white

batting the coy bristles in the lashes of willing, spilling eyes

giving lift to heights of love arise

here and especially there

letting down the curled revelry of spun, silken hair

a young maiden so pretty and fair

twirling in doting fields of wildflowers

i counted the waning hours

'til i might see her again

now and especially then

a chance to kiss indulgent lips

and dance with graceful, swaying hips

alas

before night could fall

i saw her sitting on an old, weathered, stone wall

by a treacly, licorice stream

taste of her sweetness

you will know what i mean

with no shoes upon her feet

our hearts did elope and meet

this north country girl

coming to me in a spent dream's bubbling swirl
this floating, oystered pearl

my toes she did curl

my heart she did own

her true distance to me remaining unknown

my bannered flag, she did wave unfurled

far beyond this fickle, impervious, impenetrable world

.

Author's Note

"A true poem is distinguished not so much by a felicitous expression, or any thought it suggests, as by the atmosphere which surrounds it. Most have beauty of outline merely, and are striking as the form and bearing of a stranger; but true verses come toward us indistinctly, as the very breath of all friendliness, and envelop us in their spirit and fragrance." - Thoreau