A Lady of Dunnottar

Mavis was a servant of Dunnottar,
Ladies’ maid, oft overused, misunderstood.
Her days numbered with infinitely asked chores
Of her lady, drudgery layered upon thankless tasks
Of a servant to a manor born.

Master called to fight for Crown and Country,
Leaving behind his woman and her ladies:
Not much to guard his island keep
nor treasures hidden deep within
Scotland’s rugged
sun-rising rocky cliffs.

With Master far to Scotland’s south
A mighty regiment waited silently beyond
Solid rock walls. No flight to ocean from rocky cliff
Nor path not leading to horseman’s might.
Lady of the Rock, woman strong-mind determined,
forthright, unwilling to meet soldiers demands
requests her lady-in-waiting allowances
to visit her ailing father in nearby town of Stonehaven.
Her petition granted, a servant of Dunnottar
Walked bravely forth, her skirts grazing muddied ground.
With head lowered, a lowly servant shivered in fear
Walking through troops of mounted men,
Ignoring foot soldier’s whistled calls,
Kept walking down to Stonehaven,
Kept walking still to Stonehaven Church
Only then collapsing from hunger and thirst
Having delivered her hidden treasures to safety.

Weighted by not merely mud
Yon servant hugged her secret to her soul,
In broad light of day
this woman walked through blood-thirsty troops
and brought to truth a premonition’s worth.
Holding tight to weighted skirts
Weighed down by all the Gems of Scotland,
Crown jewels safely delivered
By lady of most uncommon birth.