(a Mayberrie series poem. This one belongs after the poem “Rumbling” and before “By his Side”. Sorry, they don’t always come to me in order.)
.
There was a pounding in her head,
a shiver in her bones
as she staggered from her garden
and folded to the ground.
In bed she woke,
Old Woman from the woods
holding a cup of bitters to her lips.
Drink! she commanded.
Stars, moons and goblins
swirled around her head
as she tumbled up the mountain
and sank into the sea.
And then she felt him at her side,
his hands cupping her face.
She swam into deep water eyes,
held him closely to her heart
until there were no shackles
holding them apart.
.
When she woke
Old Woman sat nearby
and he was gone.
Where is he? she whispered.
Old woman shook her head,
You must have dreamed, she said.
The kingdom is at war again.
He would never stay behind –
instead he leads his men.
Turning towards the wall she wept
and fell into a darkness
of nights taunting the days.
And then the fever broke.
.
She looked around her room and saw
fresh bread and butter on the shelf
and broth warming near the fire –
but she was alone.
On shaky legs
she stumbled to the door
and pushed it wide,
greeted by the morning sun,
the restless trees, a solemn crow –
and hoof prints of a war horse
that had halted on the path.
.
© 2012 Betty Hayes Albright
.
For links to all poems in this series, please click on the Mayberrie tab at the top of this blog.
Seasonings 
beautiful..gave me a chill.
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Thank you, Red!
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Oh..the story continues..with such beauty!
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Charlie, thank you. 🙂
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Oh BETTY! First, I was doing my usual clutching my chest thing–and second, I really like that they don’t come forth “in order” always. Somehow that seems more “natural”–and it must be enjoyable, a surprise maybe, for you, as well as gratifying your fans. Almost like you’re hearing the story in pieces from your character–maybe? I just love these so much!!
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Thanks, Caddo – and you’re right, the story does seem to come in pieces – like memories often do, maybe. So glad you like them all!
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Whatever entity is feeding you with this fine series seems to enjoy teasing you – and us – by presenting them in a random order.
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Hi Ben! Thanks as always for your support with this series. (“Teasing” is the right word – just when I think the story is all in order, another “memory” inserts itself.)
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These really are very good, Betty.
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Thank you, David!
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your special magic wove!
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Thanks, Willow!
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Ahhh, Betty. I am struggling to read and write these days, but when I tumble into mayberrie and the world becomes enchanted with stars, moons, and goblins, and we know that a war horse paused in mid stride before the Old Woman’s cottage in the wood, then I know there is still magic in the world. Wonderful poetry.
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Thomas, it’s good to hear from you! I’m having the same struggle these days (with reading and writing) and have much catching up to do. Hope you’re feeling as well as possible. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, and please give my best to Ethel!
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