A lady of fine and exquisite beauty

Sat weeping alone one day,

Her tears drowning out the sun

Her eyes were hurt and glazed,

She sat crying many winters

And winters into fall,

Occasionally she whispered

‘I can’t stand this at all’,

So lonely she was looking

Downcast by the way,

Till a Stranger chanced upon her

One cold and rainy day,

“Why weep you," said the Stranger

"What tale have you to tell?”

She lifted her head and looked at him

As tears and rain drops fell,

“I’ve been looking, she began

For a soul mate strong and true ,

But all I found was heart ache

A piercing thru and thru,

“Can’t find him in the winter

Can’t find him in the fall,

Nor in the heat of summer

If he exists at all,

“I thought I’d found him once

But then my heart betrayed,

Was broken like an hour glass

From, discarded oaths that he had made,

“I pulled myself together

Willing, myself on

God gave me strength to live

But my heart sings such a somber song,”

The Stranger touched her shoulder

And smiled into her eyes,

“Weep no more Princess

Your time, for love arrives,

“I come to bear you greetings

From the One that you’ve

Whispered to,

Those silent prayers He’s answered

He has seen you thru,

“Hell it was, and heart ache

Treacherous and vile

But behind me comes your suitor

A man of elegance and of style

He will love you, Princess

As truly as you need,

A reward

For your prayers and faithfulness

And your unselfish deeds.”

His eyes were strange and warm

His lips shown an ironic smile

“Look over my shoulder, Princess

For he comes in a short while,”

And as the Stranger pulled his cloak

About him, and up the way he strode,

Past him she saw someone else

Coming up the road,

A tall and handsome gentleman

A tear within his eye,

“I thought I’d never find you

I thought that I would die”,

He pulled her close and held her

And smiled with trembling cheer,

“Thank God, that I have found you,

Thank God, you were so near,

“Long have I sought you

Someone to cherish and to love

Countless times I’ve prayed for you

Prayed to God above,

“Never satisfied with others

Faux jewels I cast aside,

I chose to search for you

As I labored and I cried…”

He cherished her and loved her

And was all that she did need

Both felt their prayers were answered

Both felt that they’d been freed,

As she held him fast and loved him

And he  filled up her need,

She saw the Distant Stranger

His cloak flowing in the breeze,

He was happy for her

Even from this distance

She could tell…

His wave said, “God bless and keep you”

And as he turned,

It said “Farewell…”

…Samishii Suzume~…