Arabella of the Mist

She gazes out across the emerald blue
where weathered sails are battered by the gale
and ripped to tatters by the raging beast
that skips the tiny vessels like a stone across a pond. 

Through the salty haze that fills the air
she searches for a sign to ease her fear,
for long she’s watched, while slowly losing hope
that her true love will triumph o’er the unforgiving sea.

The whisper of his voice still lingers on,
and holds with it, his promise to return.
Remembering his kiss upon her lips,
she tosses fragrant blossoms into the churning surf.

The waves that soothe the sand beneath her feet
and lick the trailing lace upon her hem
provide no comfort to her aching heart
as hours turn to days and days to agonizing weeks.

And in the mist that rises round the pier
unto this day you’ll see her standing there
with cloak drawn close and face into the wind
waiting for the day when her Love’s ship comes sailing in.




 


march 2004
© Janet Reid