Emma's Epitaph

In the lough near Kylemore Abbey Floats a little green fishing boat. It wears with pride its battered paint, From years of wear it lost its coat. It made bitter the old man's heart After sweet Emma passed away. He now keeps next to home and hearth As all his days are colored grey. No persuasion can coax him back To do what he once loved to do. He was fishing when Emma died, Even though she begged him not to. Emma had been ill for some time; A long spell since he'd heard laughter. She felt that day that she would die. Guilt would plague him ever after. In verdant park her gravestone stands. Her sense of sweetness still abides In the old cottage they both shared, Along with him her ghost resides. 8-17-16 Note: lough sounds like lock and means a lake My poem was inspired by the titles of the six popular novels of My favorite lady poet and writer Miss Jane Austen. One word from each novel is included in my poem. Title's of Miss Austen's Books: Northanger Abbey  Persuasion Pride and Prejudice Emma Sense and Sensibility Mansfield Park