Princess Of The Prairies Poem by Kewal Paigankar

Behind the bar she waits
Half in darkness and half in light
Solitary and detached
An alluring vision, composed and assured
Dreaming of a future, filled with riches and pearls
Of her knight on horseback, raising dust
Offering a world far removed from this sleepy hamlet
Where dreariness is a daily hazard
And emptiness crushes any hopes
Of an escape long since surrendered.



In less than an hour since their eyes met
Their hearts pounded and the harmony was complete
Nothing was said beyond meaningful glances
So much was said in words steeped in resonance
A whole new territory opened up before them
Under a starry sky, the nights would seem warmer
Locked in an embrace around a camp fire
For the princess of the prairies, the search was over
The cure to a life hitherto filled with despair
Beyond Sweetwater.


The moribund town was filled with ghosts
Shadows of old men drifting through the day
Wondering whether to take a walk along main street
Or mourn their lost youth and the draining of spirit
Drowning in its inertia, the town barely raised a murmur
While the princess and her paramour shot cupid’s arrows in whispers
Now there was reason to live and cause to return
For the princess and the roguish charm
That is her outlaw man.


The galloping horse speeds away, long ride through the prairies
The journey across vast landscape stretches beyond infinity
Come back to Sweetwater is the constant refrain
Ringing in the outlaw’s ears, soon turning into a haunting melody
There is no turning back even for his princess
For the force of law is on his trail, in furious pursuit
He hears a voice, every day and night
Come back to Sweetwater……..
Some day……….remember not to forget……
Sweetwater………I will make it worth your wait…………! ! !