chapter 17 brother's bones
To wake alone was no surprise. Her token on my breast,
Healed my melancholy sigh, for by her kisses blessed,
Eternal hope enlightened me; by promises professed.
Spirit of the island, or lady of the lane,
Key to my totality, but would she come again?
Embellishing my fantasy I waited on the sand-
Loneliness' embodiment; I tried to understand.
Embroidered recollection sent me pacing to the brink,
To and from the ocean's kiss, still clinging to the link
Of silver from her circlet, that she had left for me
New to rings, my fingers, but this one held me free!
Oh! Token of a wedded man, despite her gentle pledge
Fruitless wishes kept me prowling at the waters' edge.
Touched by this reality, I spied a craft come in,
Helmed by a polished skeleton, his bone bereft of skin...
Empathy arose as for a long-departed twin.
Stranger from the long ago; now cast upon a shore,
To seek eternal slumber? Or did he beg for more?
Regretful ignorance of mine might chill a spirit still...
And did I dare to bury him, uncertain of his will?
Need of guidance bade me pray to Him I trust the most
Gratefully I laid His son on that deserted coast,
Enshrouded in a sighing frond, and lullabied by sea...
Reverent, I said farewell; his end had sobered me.
Healed my melancholy sigh, for by her kisses blessed,
Eternal hope enlightened me; by promises professed.
Spirit of the island, or lady of the lane,
Key to my totality, but would she come again?
Embellishing my fantasy I waited on the sand-
Loneliness' embodiment; I tried to understand.
Embroidered recollection sent me pacing to the brink,
To and from the ocean's kiss, still clinging to the link
Of silver from her circlet, that she had left for me
New to rings, my fingers, but this one held me free!
Oh! Token of a wedded man, despite her gentle pledge
Fruitless wishes kept me prowling at the waters' edge.
Touched by this reality, I spied a craft come in,
Helmed by a polished skeleton, his bone bereft of skin...
Empathy arose as for a long-departed twin.
Stranger from the long ago; now cast upon a shore,
To seek eternal slumber? Or did he beg for more?
Regretful ignorance of mine might chill a spirit still...
And did I dare to bury him, uncertain of his will?
Need of guidance bade me pray to Him I trust the most
Gratefully I laid His son on that deserted coast,
Enshrouded in a sighing frond, and lullabied by sea...
Reverent, I said farewell; his end had sobered me.