THE WATER MAIDEN

He first saw her beside the stream,
Her hair tossed by the morning breeze,
Dipping her dainty feet in the water,
He almost felt as if he were in a dream.

She sang a song in some strange tongue
That floated soft and touched his heart,
A simple melody like a nightingale in spring,
Never had he heard so wondrous tune sung.

He came near to where she bathed her feet,
Hardly daring to breath, she saw him and smiled
With sparkling eyes and dimple cheek
That stole away his tender heart, a boy so meek.

He sat down beside her, they spoke no word.
Time stood still and even the wind was calm,
The song birds were stilled, the river silent,
Only the beating of two hearts was heard.

He closed his eyes for one brief moment,
Taking in the fresh sweet air in content.
He opened his eyes and she was gone.
The only thing that lingered, was her scent.

“Are you there?” he called, with aching heart.
But no sound came to ease his waiting.
He lingered till the sun went down
At the spot so sweet, not wanting to part.

He now knew love, this young tender boy,
And all he wanted was to be by her side,
Let time stand still and just hear two hearts,
That would fill his aching soul with joy.

He saw her next near a spring, drinking her fill
Of the pure water that from the rock came forth.
She raised her head and their eyes met,
He walked to her side, not by his own will.

They drank together from the water cold,
Two young sweet faces almost touching.
She laughed softly, such a pleasing sound,
Could he ask her name? Could he be that bold?

As before, she was gone in a twinkling of an eye,
All he could hear was the water flowing soft,
There were no foot prints next to his own,
Who did he love so? He thought with a sigh.

The days crawled like years to his lonely heart,
Then once more he saw her on a rocky ledge
Near where the waterfall falls deep and loud.
He could not let her go again, he could not part.

She came to him across the water clear,
Words without speaking combined their hearts,
He knew she was the Water Maiden so fair,
If he went with her, he’d leave the world so dear.

Just for a moment he stopped and thought
Of all the joys he would have to leave behind
If he followed her that day. He held out his hand
And together they went into a place of naught.

No one ever found the boy with the tender heart,
Yet they thought they heard him singing
In harmony with a voice like water running clear.
For he was with the one he loved, never to part.

M Ann Margetson July 16 1998 ©