The Lady's Wish

On the rocky shores of Scotia
in an ancient, bygone time
in the craggy, cold highlands
lived a wife named Annadine.

Summer she worked the land
from sunrise to sundown.
Dirt, callouses and cuts
on her fair hands were found.

Sheared sheep, spun the wool
and made the wooden loom clack.
by day's end she knew exhaustion;
pain reigned the small of her back

She knew it was a hard life
when she married husband Ned,
but she had thoughts of better
when at night she lay abed.

The love between the couple
grew cold 'mid years and tears.
She feared there was no escape.
Hopelessness fueled her fears.

Ned was gone to bury his mother.
A knock came on Annadine's door.
She gave the stranger supper
made a bed for him on the floor.

The traveler spoke seldom
and sat silent beside her fire
then said, “If you ask of me
I'll give you your heart's desire.”

Big houses and brocade dresses,
no callouses or cuts on her hands
carriages pulled by six fine horses
and no more farming barren land.

Then she thought of her husband,
suited only for a farmer's life
and if she should stay with him
she must always be a farmer's wife.

She recalled days in the meadow
and nights in grass under stars.
Deep love they shared in younger years;
the love the years had marred.

So she said, “Sir, I've but one wish
and I pray that it comes true ,
that love between my husband and I
be ardent in all we say and do.

The stranger laughed a sinister laugh.
She saw red eyes flash under his hood.
“So let it be,” he said with a sneer,
“Let your love be all that it should.”

He took his leave and when he left
in the dirt outside Annadine's door
she spied a set of cloven prints....
all left behind and nothing more.

Late that night, when Ned came home
his bed was as hot as hearth's fire.
For the first time in many years
they found their lost desire.

In the morning, Ned said to Annadine,
“Mother hoarded much gold over time.
She had amassed a great fortune
and now that fortune in mine.”

“Mother was of noble blood
but for father she chose her life.
Her title and lands have passed to me
I claimed them without any strife.”

“Darling Annadine, you shall have
a large home in town to enjoy
a six horse carriage to ride in
and servants to employ.”

“You shall be a fine lady, indeed
and never more work in the field.
You will be clothed in brocade dresses
and your poor, tender hands will heal.”

Thinking about the wealth to come
she thanked not the stranger, but God,
who kept her from a selfish wish
while on life's rocky road she trod.

Lady Annadine, as she was known,
was ever generous to the poor
and never was a stranger
turned away hungry from her door.

She and Lord Nedford The Kind
lived out their days in love's embrace.
Never was either seen by anyone
without a smile upon their face.

Annadine felt like a cherished bride
for the rest of her earthly days,
for her Ned showed her his love
in a great multitude of ways.

The cloven hoofed stranger never again
appeared at Lady Annadine's door.
She had more than she could want;
he could tempt her with wishes no more.