The Dark Moat

The Dark Moat

by

Jon Presco

 

A dove flew in my window

a month and four days ago

The piece of rice pape

it carried

held many clues

that brought me to

the rickety bridge

over a dark moat

 

I peered down in

and beheld

all the doubts

I had abandoned

they had flown before me

like hungry raven

and waited for me

to cripple my quest

for the fair maiden

I knew was on hither side.

 

And, just when I needed

all the courage I could muster

here come a dark knight

on a black horse

perhaps her father

maybe a brother, or,

a lover?

I read the note once more

with trembling hand

and heart

for it was written in

a woman’s hand

And I must die this day

for love?

 

Then came a voice

inside the helmet

that was like the song

of a hundred cooing doves

And the Black Knight

took off her guise

 

“Are you worthy?”

 

Are you worthy

to own my love?

Are you worthy

come the first day of spring

after you lost the winter fight

to always be of good cheer?

Were you worthy

when the weevils

had their way with

your last loaf of bread

and your hunting dog

went to fend for itself?

Did love come to accompany you

did you even hear

the mother’s song?

What can you bring me

that is worthy……..

of love?”

 

 

 

We have a winner!