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Marianne Frederick Poem
One thousand nights I’ve ridden toward the border in the gloom
Upon my stallion, Strident, at a gallop, past the fence.
Yet, never have I left the inner sanctum of this room
For tho’ my horse is willing, t’is I who have no confidence.
Remembering the figure of the woman in the glade
Dressed in robes of silver with embroidery of pearl,
A face of finest porcelain by light of dusk betrayed
That figure was nor woman-- No-- nor ordinary girl!
Me thinks I heard a ditty, in a poem or a song,
That revealed the story of the spectre bedecked in shining clothes,
Which seeks a living soldier, as it simply walks along,
In glowing, dazzling silver from her head-dress to her toes.
And how she charms the soldier, and he follows her, t'is said,
And once he sees her silver face, he’s all but surely dead.
And so I did resist the dream of riding in the gloom
Upon my stallion, Strident, toward the wood and through the glade
To see the shining woman, for I knew t’would be my tomb--
Still I called upon the devil for a bargain to be made.
And the devil, he did answer, and came fast to my rescue
And swore him to protect me from the silver woman’s due.
Thus, this night I’ve saddled Strident and am for the battle dressed
For if I give my life to her, there’ll be no eternal rest.
We should walk in shade and shadow, with her silver robes in train
And walk the glade forever in the sunshine or in rain,
Nought but walk the fields and forests and the meadows and the glen--
As she charms the simple soldiers and the heartiest of men.
So, on my fellow, Strident, as I draw my silver sword
And lay we low this silver dame, but utter not a word!
Marianne Frederick
August 19, 2008
Copyright © Marianne Frederick | Year Posted 2008
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Marianne Frederick Poem
Snow invades the winter wood,
Showing where the rabbit stood,
Telling where the deer has passed,
And where I am, heldfast
By nature's visage so enrapt,
In nature's arms entrapped.
Copyright © Marianne Frederick | Year Posted 2005
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Marianne Frederick Poem
A flock of weary seagulls
Way beyond their range
Landed in the parking lot.
The weather's going to change,
I thought.
The leader is a grey one.
He has an attitude,
And, looking at me so intensely
Said, "It's awfully rude
To land upon the black top!
I thought this was a lake.
My mate and all her family
Have flown here by mistake.
I'll thank you if you help me.
You can't do any less--
I'm looking for the ocean,
And I don't have GPS!"
I'm sure I was befuddled,
But said, in my surprise,
"I think you'll find the ocean
Just beyond that rise."
"Oh, thank you," said the seagull,
"Now, may I grant your wish?"
"I didn't know that 'gulls did that!?"
"Oh, yes, we pay in fish."
Copyright © Marianne Frederick | Year Posted 2005
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Marianne Frederick Poem
Come, let us fish in the sea of sweet dreams
Where the moon lights the shimmering sand,
As a curtain of stars rises over our heads
And the gentle waves sing at our slightest command.
Come, let us go to that magical place,
Where the sky and the waters are one,
Where all of your cares drift away with the tide,
And your fondest desires dance in the sun.
Come, run with me, through diamonds of dew,
As the cloud-ships gather above,
Knowing that my only thought is of you
And the bridge to this kingdom is built upon love.
Copyright © Marianne Frederick | Year Posted 2005
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