Princess Eloise #12 - Eryn

They neared a gypsy caravan

In a moonlit glade

She saw their need and out she ran

And soon the Smith was laid

In a little cot within

For the pain, herbal gin

As Eryn, gentle as a maid

Eased the bolt from his shoulder blade

Soon the invalid was sleeping

Soothed by pungent herbs

The Bruin faithful watch was keeping

Eryn now the Boy observes

'Upon your brow a shadow lies

Within your heart a dread resides

Yet I would give you remedy

So tell me all your tragedy'

The Boy recounted all the tale

And when all was said

Wept for Eloise his love

Lying good as dead

In the cruel castle

Many leagues away

Then Eryn motioned with her hand

For she had much to say

She shared a desperate plan with him

And before the light of day

They returned to The Forge

And in the Prince's place he lay

She dressed him in the bloodied clothes

Stripped from the Bruin's kill

When all was in its proper place

She bid the Boy lie still

The Boy was wiry, there was space

Within the Prince's clothes to place

Broken fragments of the dogs – and upon his face

Gristle grim and bloody skin

So that all who looked on him

May believe they saw the Prince

Dead these several hours since

Eryn drugged the living corpse

Until the Boy was barely breathing

Then hid herself as the Royal Guard

Arrived, their swords unsheathing

Finding the body of the 'Prince'

They raised their lamentation

And wrapped it in a burial shroud

Making preparation

For the double funeral

Of the two heirs to the throne

And soon through all the kingdom

The death of the Prince was known

Princess Eloise #11 - Hunters

Through knotted brush the headlong rush

Of the fleeing fugitive

But the Forest Grim is friend to him

And will sanctuary give

The baying of the giant hounds

In the moonlit night resounds
Every which way seeking prey
Their rabid bloodlust without bounds

The Prince and Libertine await

The sound of hounds upon their bait

Yet now the sound of prey at bay

Is not as they anticipate

A yelping and a crashing

A roaring and a smashing

The hunters pressing through the brush

Too late emerging in the hush

That follows mortal toil and strife

And there before them without life

Like so many scattered logs

The bloodied bodies of the dogs

Disbelieving staring running

The Prince and Libertine becoming

Instead of hunters, fleeing prey

That runs by night and hides by day

Through the Forest Grim they race

Searching for a hiding place

Along a narrow track they ran

That let onto a road

The Stonebuilt Forge was drawing nigh

Suddenly they slowed

'Look there the Boy, the Gardener

The fugitive from law'

The Prince let loose a crossbow bolt

That shattered on the door

The Smithy burst out from within

Hammers in his hands

Another bolt flies at him

And strikes him where he stands

At this the Bruin crashes through

The tangled undergrowth

He stands between the Boy and Prince

He remembers well enough

The killer of his brother

The slaughter of his mother

And with a mighty lethal paw

He evens up the score

Thus fell the Prince on evil bent

Thus was justice done

The Libertine that moment went

And was forever gone

The Smithy struggled to his feet

'Come Boy we too must go

There is one that you must meet

What's to be done she will know'

The Smithy leant upon the boy

Together they made haste to go

The Bruin followed at the rear
Ever watchful for the foe

Quack

Quack ak ak ak

Beating feet below the water
Webbed-foot-fulls pushed behind
Bright eyes seek a far horizon
Another life to find

Slapping feet upon the water
Beating wings against the air
Head turned to the destination
It will lead you there

Tireless rythmic wingbeats
Cut the thin cold air
'Til water flashes in the green
Away away away down there

On whiffling wings descending
Webs on feet extending
Splash your feet across the water
Now that flight is ending

Quack ak ak ak

Southport Pier

beneath a thousand shades
of pastel blue and grey
white horses cantering on the horizon
manes flowing heads tossing
yet so far away
the wind carries neither whinny nor neigh
in their stead, wind-borne sand in rivulets
the tresses of a long blonde mane
waters on a desert plain
borne upon the wind

Princess Eloise #10 - Cherry Liqueur

The sky turned black and filled with stars

Venus rose and outshone Mars

The moon arrived upon the hill

And the Boy waited still

At eleven he could wait no more

And, passing through the garden door

Made his way to her window

Bathed in deepest shadow

There he fell upon his knees

And softly called out 'Eloise'

He heard commotion from within

A stumbling – a fumbling

At the window she appeared

Trembling – mumbling

'You are so early, yet so late

Thank heaven that you did not wait'

She gasped through lips turning blue

He leaped within – 'What can I do?'

'My brother heard me weeping

And came to comfort me

I wanted to be left alone

And begged that he should let me be

He said he'd go but not until

I acquiesed to his will

And took a draught from the bottle there

To ease my grief and my despair

I drank and saw unnatural lights

Now the poison 'gainst me fights

Liqueur of the sweetest cherries

Laced with Belladonna berries'

She caught her breath – her light was fading

And looked into the Boy's eyes pleading

'Oleander for the heart

Five pink blooms is where you start

Adonis – Pheasant's Eye - yellow standing by the by

Four yellow blooms – crush them all

Perhaps I may awake from thrall

In spirits steep – yet hurry please' pleaded desperate Eloise

In an agony of haste

Lest a precious moment waste

Running picking gathering

Crushing steeping babling

The recipe through gritted teeth

On stroke of midnight hand beneath

Her head he tips the silver flask

Between her lips and hears her gasp

And sees the colour blanching

Across her face grey advancing

He listens close upon her chest

Hears no pulse from a heart at rest

Finally a mighty beat

That once each minute does repeat

Then a beating at the door

The Prince and Libertine

Force the lock and before

The Boy can flee survey the scene

'See my sister's murderer

See Princess Eloise

Done to death by a gardener'

The Boy outnumbered flees

Out the window 'cross the lawn

The Castle sleeps but not for long

The Prince pursues with a dozen hounds

Their baying heard throughout the grounds

The Boy is paused at the Iron Gate

He knows the lock and picks it straight

Then slams it shut in the teeth of the hounds

And Prince and Libertine confounds

The Boy runs toward the Forest Grim

Pursued by fear that gnaws at him ...

Princess Eloise #9 - The Wanton

'Yet I must be Queen someday'
Eloise had sobbed in parting
The Boy had begged for a reprieve
'One more hour before departing'

He looked into her eyes tormented
Until Eloise relented
'One last time we'll meet at midnight
Take our final leave by moonlight'

Concealed from the grieving pair
Her cruel half-brother took the air
And heard their sorrow o'er the wall
And comprehended all

His companion Libertine
Did not hear and had not seen
But discerned within the Prince
An eagerness not seen since
Last they hunted 'longside hounds
A'slaughtering without the grounds

'Soon we hunt again my friend
But before this good day end
My Trophy Room you must see'
The Libertine grinned brutishly
The Wanton ushered him within
A gallery of heads and skin

'Whichever fur whichever skull
Ask me - I remember well
How each ran and how it died'
Proclaimed the Wanton puffed with pride

Upon the desk a little thing
Fascinates the Libertine
'Tell me then if you dare
The story of the little bear'

'I was only nine years old
And had not been blooded
My father took me to the woods
Where the tracks are muddied

I pointed out the little rat
My father shook his head
But with my crossbow I took aim
And shot the vermin dead

That was not the end of sport
The mother in full cry
Burst upon us unawares
I saw my servants die

She roared and swung a bloody paw
Suddenly they were no more
Soon she too was dead and gone
Unless we count the skin upon
Her back which now, complete with head
Adorns the place where you tread'

The Libertine indeed was stood
Upon a bearskin black as blood
'We'll blooded was I on that day
Yet ever something brings dismay
That little rat's hidden twin
Never could I find again'

The Wanton paused in grim reflection
Then a smile lit his complexion
'Despite this glory all around
The hunt is passe - I have found
I tire of killing flesh and bone
Now I must kill for hearth and home
Let me tell you of my scheme'
The Wanton said to the Libertine

Princess Eloise #8 - The Herb Garden

The Boy was tired - homeward bound
Ruffled by the evening breeze
The gloom of twilight stifled sound
His feet were dragging in the leaves

Oblivious to all around
A figure moved among the trees
On a shadowed quest profound
Secretive - Eloise

He found her in the old Herb Garden
Paused a moment to be certain
That no other was inside
Then slipped within and stood beside

'My love what are you doing here'
Eloise concealed a tear
Then in shaking whispered words
Shared her knowledge of the Herbs

'Flowers are such pretty things
Yet with petals oft' come stings
And prettiness may often hide
That which helps to kill or die

Lycotonum Oleander
Adonis and Belladonna
All within my garden grow
And all their morbid use I know

When one the other amplifies
The unfortunate quickly dies
When one the other mitigates
Against the odds we cheat the fates

Don't lose sleep over me
My precious Boy - can't you see
Whatever the extremity
The Garden holds the remedy'

Silence falls and soft he feels
Her lips on his in tender kiss
Upon his cheek a tingling
Left by gentle finger tips

Then an emptiness for she
Has fled with silent tread
And a weight lays on his heart
Rememb'ring what was said

Princess Eloise #7 - The Camomile Lawn

Eloise walked barefoot
Toes among the Camomile
A cotton-clouded blue sky shone
On her lips a secret smile
Remembering the roses
Remembering the Boy
A newfound lightness of the heart
She supposed it must be joy

And now to make the day complete
Away there by the edge
The Boy with shears in his hand
Clipping at the hedge
Eloise seats herself
On the bench of stone
The Boy works ever closer
'Till she is not alone

'I love you Eloise' said he
In between the clips
'I love you too' she whispered
Through barely opened lips
'Would that we could climb the walls
Would that we could run away'
She whispered to the air and trees
'Oh for such a day'

But now the Prince - her brother
Takes note of the pair
'Away you stinking peasant
What do you do there'
The Boy bows low and takes his leave
Her words are ringing in his ears
And for the first time in his life
His hopes outweigh his fears

Princess Eloise #6 - Rosy Bower

The Boy was drawn to the Iron Bower
In summer thereupon a shower
Of roses blooming soft and sweet
Within whom should he chance to meet
But Eloise pausing there
Evening sunlight in her hair

She did not notice him until
He summoned up nerve and will
And greeted her - 'Your Royal Grace'
And there at once across her face
Recollection of a kindness
Rendered in the Wilderness

Her cheek was washed by a pastel blush
There within the evening hush
What began in the Forest Grim
Continued between Her and Him
They lingered for a precious hour
Within the scented Rosy Bower

When Eloise recalled this meeting
And remembered her heart beating
She realised - in the Bower
In that golden sunlit hour
Was when the light of love first dawned
Within her heart and it was warmed

As the light was growing dim
Eloise was summoned in
The Boy sat for an hour more
Adding to his cherished store
Tender tinted memories
Of his beloved Eloise

Princess Eloise #5 - Gardening

In each morning twilight
Before the blush of daylight
Gardeners assemble
At the Iron Gate

The Boy stood in their company
And slipped within silently
When one of their number
Was shamefully late

The Boy slipped in among their throng
Learned their trade and e'er long
Was counted member of the Staff
That daily walked the Garden Path

Quickly pass the days and weeks
The Boy resourceful as he seeks
Among the flowers and the trees
Encounters with Fair Eloise

In the Rosy Bower
A bright and happy hour
On the Lawn of Camomile
Oh to see her hidden smile

Then amid the Herbs
Conversation that disturbs
Finally today
A declaration to dismay

She kissed the Boy and cried
She wrung her hands and sighed
She clasped her hands as if to pray
Then sobbed and turned away

'Though you call me beautiful
Yet I must be dutiful
Though I love you come what may
Yet I must be Queen someday'

The Boy lay on his humble bed
Recalling misery and joy
What brave dreams had filled the head
Of our lowly foundling Boy

Princess Eloise #4 - Departure

'Farewell my son, godspeed
Upon a blue moon think of me
And if ever you have need ...'
Mumbled the Smithy
Nothing more remained to say
The Boy shed tears as he walked away
The Smithy watched him go and then
His mind unbidden strayed to when
The Boy first knocked upon his door
A score of years before

(The Boy had fled from his Merchant master
And the brute was chasing after
When the Smithy intervened
Placing himself in between
The Merchant fumed and cursed and spat
Then gasped and choked and fell down flat
An evil man whose evil heart
Once stopped, declined again to start

The Constable was called and came
And took away the Merchant's things
He inquired about a boy
Traveling along with him
The Smithy had not seen a boy
At least that's what he claimed
To account for the loss of the boy
The Merchantman was blamed

From that day a childish voice
From time to time was heard
At the Forge within the woods
But no one said a word)

'Farewell Smithy' said the Boy
But could say no more
For his heart was in his throat
And his chest was sore
He embraced the Smithy
Then turned to depart
The rhythm of his footfalls
Soothed his aching heart

The Boy diverted from the path
To climb the Ancient Tor
For to view what had passed
And see what lay before
Behind, the forest and the Forge
Smoke rising from the flame
Ahead the Town and Castle
Waiting on The Plain

One leave-taking lay in store
One last final pain
There - the Bruin stands before
His childhood friend once again
Well-met the Bruin there!
Briefly now the pair
Of lifelong friends refresh the bond
Of brotherhood they share

But the moment soon must pass
And the pair must part at last
The Bruin turns to the Wilderness
The Boy turns from the past
Climbing down the Ancient Tor
Feet upon the path once more
From the Forest and the flame
To the Town upon The Plain

Extinction

moss, horsehair, twigs - scattered among red leaves
at the foot of tall trees - disbanded feathers flutter
relics of flight 'mid chalky bones - a skull
picked white and clean - black sockets once bright
once seeing - a void within, the lost memory
of a world seen from height - neither you nor I
can imagine what that was like

Princess Eloise #3 - Encounter

The Bruin had taken to wandering
Restive - silently pondering
The Boy felt it too - uneasy he grew
Long days of childhood were ending
A change in the season was silently creeping
Bruin and Boy awakening - seeking
Hidden things - near yet just out of view
The irresistible call of the new

Quiet was the Forest Grim
The Boy - all had abandoned him
The Smith was early on his way
Where the Bruin - who could say
Then rushing down the woodland track
A carriage drove in urgent haste
The Coachman eager to get back
Before night fell upon the place

The ponies sweated as they ran
The carriage swayed and the Coachman
Made to pass the Forge clear by
But then a crack and then a cry
As the Hitching Bolt was sheared
And the ponies disappeared
The Coachman halts the coach and then
Runs down the track after them

Now the silent carriage waits
And the Boy hesitates
Steps up to the carriage door
To open it - but before
He can do aught her within
Has disembarked and in doing
Stuns the Boy - his features freeze
At the sight of Eloise

She smiles with eyes downcast and he
Invites her in to take her ease
Within the Forge and that is how
He came to wait on Eloise
She spoke but little yet she smiled
He was eager - glad to please
Within the Forge and that is how
First he loved fair Eloise

All this passed and more before
The Coachman knocked upon the door
And conducted Eloise
To the carriage as before
The boy stoked up the flames and forged
The Hitching Bolt and its parts
Before he knew it she was gone
But memories were writ on hearts

The Boy slept not until morning light
Then he succumbed to sweet sleep in spite
Of thoughts questing further than ever he'd seen
His heart fixed on places that never he'd been
Sudden the Forge in the Forest Grim
Was no longer world enough for him
A wider horizon than ever he knew
Had suddenly hove into view