Bride to Be (conclusion)

 

 

 

Bride to Be

(eighteen)

 

She is to be married

To Alderic will join, her mind is firm

To the son of an elder bride of Godolfo

shrewd where his sire had been weak-headed

She bids Wildulfa bear a message

“And Aldebert will ride, his father’s envoy.

You will not grudge me that.”

“I’ll not, my Lady Queen.”

“A journey, daughter. Drink with me.”

Tamarilde signals her maid to pour

“To fate! From home afar, and home again.

Now in these dregs I read your own—

Yours and your lover’s.”

Wildulfa tempers with a smile

Her heart towards Aldebert faltering

A path encircling a seacliff tower

She dreams. No prisonment, no hunger

No penalty her brother may devise

Can darken the allure of a shape fog-shrouded

Hers. The priestess Wilhemina, coddled like a fern unfolding

in Mother Ocean’s mists. Become a wraith, garments like the sea’s night,

alight. Sage and sought-for…and the young abbé, crawling…

Ah, Aldebert, Godhera’s heir

Does your mother live? Is your father well?

Is your kingdom at peace, or can it be

You desire war-counsels from the pagan seer…

 

I have lived in finery, gold in my ears

Robes of woven cloth, rich furs

But I have lived as well clad in hides

A winter’s week lain abed on stones

In my husband’s arms, unstirring

Labored at his side come spring, tamed horses

Scored my hands…see! With knives, with fires

And spent my beauty, if ever it had been

Daughter. We will all sleep soon.

But let me finish my gift to you, my reading

A house will be yours, and pastures, grain

Horses, sheep, but above such comforts

Talks with a mind so near your own thoughts

Of clever things, of stars in their seasons, of worms in dung

How children grow, with no contest between them

Warm hearts and wise eyes, and good works to be done

And birds in song

And only false pride to overcome. So I say.

Now depart, and carry my answer home.

 

 

 

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Bride to Be

Bride to Be (part one)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2022, Stephanie Foster)