Gardenias
The heady scent that summer evening
glorified a lady much adored;
musky premonitions of an unrequited love,
a passion much too deep to be ignored.
All-consuming frenzy, reason did not rule
his fevered mind. She had said, 'no more!'
yet he can't accept her condemnation, won't endure
a heartache that would cut him to the core.
Another man vied for her favours,
she answered in kind with a vow
to be faithful for evermore, sealed with a kiss,
what obstructions would hamper her now?
The two men met at dawn with pistols drawn,
back to back they readied for the fray,
their seconds stood at hand to ensure a fair result,
one man would lose his life that fateful day.
Gardenias fill the air with the fragrance of desire;
two men at odds, emotions frayed, yet resolute.
Two shots resound through early morning light,
one man lies dead, the other's hopes are moot.
Copyright © Keith Bickerstaffe | Year Posted 2012
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