The Lady

Tall she stood, magnificent in her beauty,

As she watched over the hustle around her manor.

Pride was reflected in her eyes

As she felt the power, to change it.

A widow she was, from six summers past.

Alone, she was left to care for two and more,

As the affairs of men, had fallen into her hands

Along with running the household.

A simple girl she had been,

Unknown to the matters of the world.

'You will marry him', her father had said,

And sealed her fate forever more.

With a heritage left, but nothing to sustain,

She chose to lodge a boarder.

The Abott, with his wisdom,

Asked her to take in a man and his daughter.

She was lost, in the manner of his charms,

The way his eyes allured her.

Thus, on an afternoon warm

He was seen leaving her chamber.

'Mother', said her young boy, one day,

'I will teach the daughter to play the lute'.

In the lonely barns, on a summer's eve

A sin was witnessed by the eyes of sheep.

As they burned in their desire,

They did not see what followed

A lamp, thought to be extinguished

Burned all in the barn to ground.

'Mother', said the other boy, some days later,

'I will march for the King, as my father did'.

Never again did she set her eyes on him

As he was lost to the royal command.

'My lady', said the Lodger, as he caressed her neck,

'I fear my death too.

For I have betrayed the Kingdom,

Not realising, it would also mean I betrayed you'.

Loss and loss, every moment seemed to bring;

Her heart grew restless more so.

The treachery, now discovered,

Found now even, her third man now gone.

That left in her despair,

She was truly alone.

She banished the lot that served her for years,

As she burned herself to a frightening death.

(The main character and the plot, is loosely based on Lady Kathryn from the novel, The Illuminator, written by Brenda Rickman Vantrease.)