Years passed since She was needed back
To quiet Him again
The Marsh's evil all those years
Growing had been hill people's fears
Knowing that He could not be killed
So many tried in vain
Coyotes feel safe in His grip
Tall grasses hide them well
They threaten with their sharp teeth bared
Their howls from hell with Marsh's shared
Were heard by the Lady in Red
On sun where She did dwell
Knowing He would be back again
Knowing She would be too
The bright red sunset o'er the Lake
Allowed Lady in Red to take
Her final trip which She did know
To kill the evil goo
Her eyes blazed brighter than before
As she walked towards the Marsh
The hill people through windows peeked
The Marsh began to hiss and reek
Lady in Red marched steadfastly
The plan She had was harsh
This time She never would return
To sun's eternal youth
The last time She had thrown herself
Over the Marsh's muddy shelf
Thinking of this Her eyes burned hot
For now She faced the truth
The Marsh knew what she came to do
He showed His awful grin
He fin'ly had His Lady back
Or so He thought but He did lack
Ability to truly know
What She thought deep within
She looked into the sun and wished
Yes wished but wished with dread
Her skin began to age and dry
Her eyes were closing as she sighed
Her back grew hunched her strength was gone
She fell in Marsh cold dead
The Marsh grew calm for now It knew
She chose death over Him
The Marsh's water Red from blood
Oozing from deep within the mud
No evil wet left to allow
Revival oh so grim
Hill people now are free at last
To wander where they may
The sunset goes on like before
As it shines over Marsh's floor
Seems like it says good night to Her
At end of ev'ry day
So Jane, do u occasionally wear a red dress and go walking near the marsh...if so you should watch them thar hill people, they have a tendency to shoot first and ask questions afterwards...-e-
Yes, I can see you were consumed by your passion for this poem of a woman overcoming the morass she was in: your life in this little allegory. Only you lived through it, and by conquering the morass, have thrived.
I especially liked this very creative line: "The Marsh began to hiss and reek." That's exactly what marshes do when we are not hearing or smelling them. Bravo!
All is finally at peace at the Marsh, as it should be. The Lady in Red dealt the final blow to the evil within the Marsh, though it cost her life. Interesting three lines . . . "He thought but He did lack / Ability to truly know / What She thought deep within." Loved this last(?) look at the Marsh, Jane.
The songs and art in this book are about our collective emergence after the pandemic and trauma of the last few years - comprised of 5 collections: World as Refuge, Where We Live, In Our Hands, Rhythms of Change and What We See & Sow.
Regis
Always,
Deborah
I especially liked this very creative line: "The Marsh began to hiss and reek." That's exactly what marshes do when we are not hearing or smelling them. Bravo!
Ron