“Conversations with the Fair Young Maiden”
By Constance Cassinelli, Inland Empire Branch
The fair young maiden stood in her garden, gazing upon the sea. As the waves rushed in and quickly out, she squeezed tighter on the small bouquet of lavender that reminded her of her long lost betrothed. Each day she waited and waited for his return.
A strange young man, with beard and wide-brimmed hat, approached her. The sea breeze gently blew her silken hair, and the deep blue gown that covered her frail body. What he noticed most was the tears flowing down her beautiful face. He asked, “Fair young maiden, will you marry me?”
“What?” she briefly glanced at the handsome young man standing there in high boots, breeches, and black coat as he leaned against the low wall surrounding her stone cottage. She awkwardly declined. “No, no, I can not marry thee, for I’ve a love who sails the lofty seas.’’
“You are waiting.”
“Yes, I am waiting.”
“When did you last see him?” the young man inquired.
“He’s been gone seven lonely years. I have not seen him. I have not heard from him.”
“Not a word and still you wait?”
“No, not a word, but he has to know I love him. He has to know how much I miss him. Every day I know he would feel the same way about me…every day, every day” she repeated.
“Well, what if he is no more? What if he has been slain in some battle?” the young man asked.
“Oh,” she stammered, “I-will-pine-my-whole-life-away.” She squeezed tighter on the lavender which gave out a beautiful scent that reminded her of her John.
“Or if he’s drowned in the great North Sea,” he continued as he also enjoyed the wonderful aroma.
“Then I will be true to his memory. I shall never forget him and the love I feel for him.”
“Not even if he has found another maiden, and he and she are married and have a whole new life together in a land far away?”
She thought, and a deep sadness came over her, so she could barely choke out her words. “If he has found another maid,” she began to cry, “then I wish them health and happiness in their home across the sea.”
The young man quickly pushed open the small lattice gate.
How his face beamed with pleasure. He wiped her tears away, gently embraced her, and gave her the most tender and the sweetest of kisses before whispering, “Weep no more my own true love, for I am your long lost John Riley!”
(Inspired by the 17th Century English folk song, “John Riley,” which was derived from the story of Odysseus and Penelope in Homer’s Odyssey.)
This piece appeared in the February 2020
Inland Empire Branch newsletter, Fresh Ink.
Constance has contributed to socalwritersshowcase before,
most recently “Celebrating the Salmon, Our Guest of Honor”
in last month’s edition.