Ode To An Eastern Lady Poem by Lorenzo Costigliolo

1

Behold! that human angel hovering
not in bright skies but on far-distant land
a siren voice, hypnotic, echoing
desperate singing, sundry songs without demand

Till comes that calming gentle rest.

Unfettered wings whose feather tips remain
too still until in cauldron stirs the beast
found'ring gales ablast from vicious East
near off rip her appendages with his disdain

Till comes that zephyr from the West

resounding with his promises, his prayer
that joined would be they both in aether air.

2

But, lo! Across that mighty depth of sea
where stands that noble knight in disarray
his hand a pen to wield in poetry
an arm to hold a shield from harm to her delay

Till comes for her he on his steed

The mighty dragon spewing searing flame
to burn her tender flesh with hateful scorn
repelled she with her wits not words foresworn
an oath to not repeat nor say his hated name

Till comes the time they both agreed

resounding with his promises, his prayer
that joined they may be one eternal pair.

3.

At length their spirits crossed the massive span
that ocean looming far too wide and deep
one lady waiting long,

long waiting longing for her patient man
her promises, the oath she vowed to keep
for him in loving song.

At last their spirits met in fond embrace
and bodies twisted as a knotted rope
in love together found,

though sight unseen, he never saw her face,
nor did she his except with faith and hope
their love at last be crowned.

4

The gods looked down upon two distant lands
upon what kept two loves apart
and joined the knight's and his fair lady's hands
into one soul, one beating heart
exhaling into each as one communal breath
immortalizing them without eternal death.

Till now, no eyes have seen with certain sight
these loves that burn in morn and evening light.