"The True Ballad of the Lady of Shalott" by Kathleen Morgaine Haubrich

The True Ballad of the Lady of Shalott

I hum my song alone at last

Amidst the towered wave

For so long did my passion thrive

For with me, make thy grave

I dreamt a dream of golden eyes

Whose stare doth pierce my soul

Adorned in armour well and rich

For past me did he stroll

“Dear Knight, do hear me!”

I cried aloud, for thus his eyes did wrong

A curl did form on his fair lips

And sang a faeries song

Unlocked the curse, destroyed the hex

And took me for his wife

Methinks my tower sees some joy

Now none would know my plight

But thine is fickle, sees no sorrow

My love is wretch and woe!

And bitter light must turn again

To Gwenhwyvar it did go

I see thee tread, with grace and pride

And to the window he did look

And smiled then a somber grin

A thousand kisses then he took

And of the spell, I dare not speak

For love forbids my wayward tongue

With one embrace, he took his leave

What more could I have sung?

I waited then, to no avail

The answers yet doth known to me

I see my love will not return

My sorrow is mine own decree

“Leave not” I know, but I must go

For thy love’s one last time

I pray my death come quickly now

Thus joy is all but mine

So here I wait, for fate to turn

Why must the sea be ever vast?

For this is my last breath to give

I hum my song alone at last