ASmallRingStory

When I first saw her, behold she was no laughing beauty.
I think it was the clearness of her eyes and her skin
that made me think of fawns in a gentle pool, sultry
in their pureness, and so clean of the ripples of the wind,

She was small, coming up to my shoulder, with a rounded
figure, without waist, but robust and busty, like her moves
around the hostel courtyard, feeding chickens and sounding,
a chirrup, almost a song, as she tiptoed in time, smooth.

She came to me and called me "Sir" with a short dip
and asked me what she could do for me. I stammered
some reply about a room for two days and solid bit
my lip as she swayed away with my horse to be fed.

I stood like a bumpkin in the middle of the courtyard,
waiting and hoping her return. But a man came out
and invited me in for a show of my room and the ward.
I sat in the inn's great room with a bucket of ale stout.

But I saw her not once, until the evening meal served,
as she waited tables and laughed with other people.
I wanted her to laugh with me, just me. More I deserved,
I wanted her to hold my hands and look into deep wells.

So I sat, stupidly, silently, eating my roast and potatoes,
sneaking glances, sometimes almost staring, not a word
could I think to say. Finally she came for the leftovers
and wished me good evening, said she would walk the wood.

I almost burst the table over as I shot up and offered escort
and she smiled and said that would nice. I ran for my
sword and dagger, almost tripping thrice, I met her in the court
and we walked a wooded path shadowed orange in the sky.

I talked to her of my business there and what I planned
and told some small stories of success. She told me
she was unattached, except to the inn, working stand
of debt from the overseas trip, and was quite happy.

I asked her if she didn't get lonely. She replied, I'm with you.
I think I swallowed my tongue to answer back something.
I made many trips back that year, and would it be most rude
not to figure out I courted, and married her, my Carol Ring.

� 2000DPMcClellan