Once Upon a Time
There stood a castle on the summit of a hill
Now fallen to decay, hidden among bushes wild
It perched like an eagle’s nest on the steep hill
It was owned by a Lord, gentle and mild
Blessed with a daughter, cute and sweet
He brought her up with such punctilious care
Proficient in all branches of learning,
She was a miracle of accomplishments rare!
She could sing n’ dance and play on the harp
She knew how to sew and paint with wit so sharp
With dazzling beauty and all feminine charms
She was the cynosure of everyone’s eyes
Needless to say, she was her dad’s darling
And the craving of many young men’s lives
Like a rose bud blushing on a thorny stem
With years, she bloomed into a graceful dame
Her father was keen to find for her a royal suitor
After deliberate choice with her open assent
To an eligible youngster she was formally betrothed
For an abiding bond, they gave their consent
In a tumult of emotions, the young pair met
The groom was so charming, a man of noble breed
A gallant cavalier with an arresting figure
He came riding, riding on a black steed
They stood gazing at each other as if entranced
Their sprouting romance, everyone noticed
Her moist blue eyes were coyly lifted up
She spied him with rising elation
Though she longed to utter honeyed words
They dried up in her throat in a surge of emotion
With a winsome smile playing upon her lips
And a sweet dimpling of her cheeks
Their love lit eyes conversed in sweet silence
Feeling as if standing on joy’s highest peaks
The royal marriage was to officiate
Exactly one month since their first meeting
Time slouched dragging along
Each day seemed like eons creeping!
Finally, the auspicious occasion arrived
And everything was meticulously arranged!
The fair bride was decked in all finery
In her bridal gown she looked a fairy
None could take their glance off
Everyone deemed her the ideal one to marry
To receive the gallant on horse back
The royal guards stood in eager wait
But Alas! Her prince didn’t turn up
Nor got any tiding as to why he was late
While the bride was seen so lost in reverie
The castle throbbed in wild revelry
The last rays of the sun had departed
And bats began to flit by in dim light
Night closed in, nothing stirred
The bridegroom didn’t arrive, yet!
Missive dreadful was received
That the cavalier on his way to the castle
Got attacked by Highway bandits barbarous
Petrified stood the Lord and each of his vassal
But he acted quick without wasting time
His soldiers on horseback were sent far and wide
Courageous men, they were, armed with swords and shield
Seeing the army advancing, the bandits were afraid
Leaving the princess to his cruel fate,
They instantly fled, galloping away to a secret cove.
The king’s men lifted the wounded prince
And carried him to the castle as fast as they could move
With dedicated care, the prince got back his health
The princess stood by his side, nursing him like a mother
Their love was once more blazoned brighter than before
On an auspicious day, the princess got wed to her lover
They lived happy ever after for long years in marital bliss
And none could find in their relationship, any remiss
* * * * * * *
The castle still stands on the summit of the hill
Now fallen to decay, buried among trees
People say, they see a cavalier mounted on a black steed
Riding to the castle at midnight like blowing breeze
Many say, the ‘tlot’ ‘tlut’ sound of galloping
Mingled with the tinkling sound of anklets loud
Is heard when the wind whistles among the trees
And the moon is veiled by the shrouding cloud!
October.7.2022
Tragi Comedy Poetry Contest
Sponsor-Joe Maverick
Copyright © Valsa George | Year Posted 2022
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