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hallaig
08-06-2011, 08:00 AM
The Maid


Lydia sits framed against the sun
a wide brimmed hat to shade her eyes.
Behind her the green autumn hills roll like waves
to a distance, the collision of land and cooling sea,
the busy hum and grasp of nations.
Here she is Queen of Cats and Lawns,
her fingers webbed in sugar
and the light through fairy wings is like stained glass.
Each day is dizzy and endless.
Yet her name is known:
they mutter it already, enter it in treaties,
and the corridors she must walk down
are built and scarved in shadow.
Even as she’s an angel, the child’s a ghost.



Should maybe say a wee bit about this. I wrote a series of poems about Scottish History and this one was inspired by the story of The Maid of Norway, the wee lass who became Queen of Scotland for a short time after the death of Alexander 111. Lydia is my own daughter.

ucello
08-06-2011, 08:11 AM
Lydia must be a happy girl. Your poetry genuine, fine, profound (I've just read a few samples on the forum). This poem illumined my day.

Red-Headed
08-06-2011, 08:49 AM
Very nice.

PrinceMyshkin
08-06-2011, 10:04 AM
An astounding poem, Hugh!!! I could well imagine this as the first poem ever written, the progenitor of all that was to follow it.

One quibble, pertinent to your footnote: I'd have titled it "Lydia" rather than "The Maid" the better to cue usto the fact that it paid homage to two Lydias.

hillwalker
08-06-2011, 10:24 AM
'scarved in shadow' is a wonderful image from a wonderful poem.

H

everyadventure
08-06-2011, 11:51 AM
How do you DO it? There is such grace and magic in this. "The busy hum and grasp of nations," "Queen of Cats and Lawns," "fingers webbed in sugar..." wait, I'm quoting the whole thing. It's stirring and beautiful.

Jack of Hearts
08-06-2011, 12:34 PM
Couldn't agree more. This reader holds most of your offerings in high regard because you're the 'real deal' in bloom.





J

Delta40
08-06-2011, 06:50 PM
A masterful piece and you have the gift of providing wonderful settings in your work

qimissung
08-07-2011, 02:01 PM
It's beautiful.

Bar22do
08-08-2011, 06:35 AM
Deep, delicate; masterly!