Love's Compassion
Written by Tanager Skydancer as told by Tessira Soderstrom
This poem is called Love's Compassion by Tanager Skydancer. I heard it in my travels through Elanthia
<Tessira stares off in the distance, gathering herself for the reciting. She spies a young couple coyly watching each other. With a slow smile on her lips, Tessira begins the poem.
Silent sun-eyed maiden. Warrior in the shade
Your hands are skilled with battle, your heart is still afraid
You see him in the market. She dances on the sand
You know yourself enchanted, your heart knows no command
<Tessira sighs softly at the bliss of first love
His every move is glory. Her every move is grace
You do not flinch from corpses, but now you hide your face
<Tessira turns her head quickly aside with a slight blush at being caught staring
Kneeling at the altar, where two transform to one
You pray to change a heart, and be no more alone
<Tessira kneels down and holds her paws together in prayer. Her head bowed, lips moving with silent whispers
She who cares for roses, perceives you where you pray
Her lord sees your confusion, beneath the light of day
Though you hear no answer, She knows your whispered prayer
And speaks your loved one's name, a heart may wake to care
<Tessira stands slowly, removing a red rose from her pack, she lifts to smell it's sweetness
Take love's petaled symbol, and seek the one you'd know
With courage in your actions, when love at last you show
And he may scorn your wishes, and she may turn away
But if you keep your silence, a higher price you'll pay
If silence is your watchword, reproach you'll never hear
But one whose soul's more brave than yours, may draw your loved one near
<Tessira cringes with pain and tosses the rose to the ground
And if your hopes are ashes, that She cannot repair
Remember, in your anguish, the Lady Rose is there
In the darkest shadow, or lost beneath the sun
If you have sought Her altar, be sure, thy heart is known
Even in rejection, when you feel most alone
You may find love tomorrow. Be sure, thy heart is known
<Tessira picks up the rose, brushing the soft petals, she tucks it away for another day
