The Widow In Her Cabin, Part I
It was back about 1803,
there stood a small cabin near to the sea,
where a widow lived by the name of Joanne,
who could not grieve for the death of her man,
since six years back he’d vanished completely.
Now Joanne was about thirty-two
when she came within Amos Delby’s view,
a young man who was younger by ten years,
new to North Yarmouth, he’d not been born here,
and of Joanne’s story nothing he knew.
All he knew was that he felt quite amazed,
her beauty and sad eyes made his heart blaze,
so he asked around, more knowledge to find,
but the locals all said, “Don’t waste your time,
nobody can change Joanne’s stubborn ways.”
Amos was intrigued, and loved a challenge,
but knew he couldn’t just go charging in,
people would talk, and it might bring her shame,
if gossip of tawdry things smeared her name,
whispers of her entertaining strange men.
And this was where difficulties appeared,
for none in town dared to help him get near,
to introduce him in a wholesome way,
so he might court her in the light of day,
his attempts instead just seemed to raise fear.
He was quite confused, and struggled with this,
then one day on a lake, out catching fish
by a remote cove, he saw Joanne there,
scrubbing her laundry in the sun’s bright glare,
Amos saw before him his greatest wish.
He felt in a cloud as he paddled close,
in the canoe by the shore did he float,
she saw him there and gave him a hard look,
she said, “I will scream if you be some crook.”
then he babbled on, “Oh ma’am, oh, no, no.”
“Forgive me,”he said, “You looked hard at work,
on these broken rocks, I thought it might hurt.
I thought maybe that you could use some help,
though I realize you do not know me well…
I see now I may come off as a jerk.”
She just stared at him with a piercing glaze,
said, “You are that man come from Boston way?”
he said, “Yes ma’am, but I sought a new start,
didn’t have much money, couldn’t get far.
Though I think in these parts maybe I’ll stay.’
She sat for a moment, still deciding,
then said, “I can’t pay you to help with things.
but if women’s work if what you’re set on,
then pull up that boat, and help me along.
but don’t think it will be interesting.”
Her gave a smile, she just rolled her eyes,
beached the boat, and the work they did divide,
until the cove sported bubbles from soap,
and Amos sat there, smiling like a dope,
figuring now was best to give her a try...
CONTINUES IN PART II.
Copyright © David Welch | Year Posted 2023
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