Lady Apra was promised to Lord Odga 
in holy matrimony.
This lady in waiting, was of royal blood
& nor, was my lord phony.
Their love was magnetic, 
not even distance dimmed that power.
Though not a beauty like others in his court; 
she was his perfect flower.

Until, the day she realized his intention 
to remain a soldier at war.
Ignoring her plea for unity & deliverance from solitude:  
What for?
For a life; a love; a partner;
who would fulfil basic need.
A sense of abandonment infiltrated her heart, 
only saints could succeed.

Along came a Knight, equally alone, 
who sensed a breach.
Trying to penetrate the castle wall 
he slid into the moat - out of reach.
He slipped & slithered in the mire, 
unable to mount the ridge
though the lady watched distressed, 
she couldn’t lower the drawbridge.

Bound within the castle keep, 
incapable of assisting.  She’d been shown.
He resembled lord Odga but, his visor lifted
to reveal; he was a clone.
Not a gallant or, a hero wanting her whole
- with altruistic intent.
Suspicion & anger ruled his heart - 
to which, his mind was bent.

She eyed the bonds, the impenetrable wall
& impassable moat -
A Knights sweet talk may beguile 
the unprotected, lawless, who gloat.
But, their thoughts were the bindings 
that held her & Odga strong;
ensuring no other took Lord Odga’s place. 
She couldn’t go wrong.

So, the lady watches, waits, & listens 
to the booming voice
in her head, who speaks only in favor 
of her own first choice:
Her Lords constant request 
to a higher power was not a whim.
It was his most noble bequest, 
to put his love for her, above him:

Grateful as always to her lord 
who demands her safe keep
though her heart yearns for all of him, 
still alone she must weep.
Until, the day the soldier in him puts aside
his weapon & shield
to follow yearnings of heart & mind 
& into her arms willingly yields:


True love will always hold, 
even when there’s no reward.
Not something most can condone 
let alone afford.
A lonely heart will accept any emotions 
that offer superficial balm.
Yet, a keen eye selectively wades thru’ rapids 
to where love is calm.

Lady Apra recognised her lords fear; 
not of dying
rather, a fear of entrapment 
that left his heart & mind vying.
She recognised a similar fear in the knight
seeking her favour.
The difference lay in; 
the knight sought her as insecurities enslaver:

Oh! The battles people surreptitiously wage, 
as foreplay.
Leaving their paranoia & their strengths
unconsciously on display.
They think no one loves enough 
to watch, notice or, see -
& telepathy is a mystery 
that no one has instincts to perceive.

16 May 1998
Robyn Anne Pace