Forest Prayer

Forest Prayer
I softly tread the forest’s path
to wake not owl nor hare.
I felt my pulse rise as I gazed
upon a girl in prayer.
She wished to end her sorrow deep.
She cried with anguish from despair.
The chains that bound her heart felt tight
because she could not see Pierre.
He left the town on a train this morn
to fight against a deadly foe.
He promised he would do his best
To escape each bullet’s fatal blow.
The ash tree’s limbs began to sway
as autumn’s wind came through.
She stopped as if she heard a voice,
saying passionately, “My darling, I love you.”
“But late today my heart was stopped
as a train fell off a bridge.
My beloved I’ll ne’er be with you again
since my grave is Lover’s Ridge.”
The girl cried out and fell right down.
And with a final shaky breath,
she closed her eyes and died right there
joining her lover in a tragic death.
Her funeral had few mourners there.
A small bouquet honored her grave.
The families never knew their children’s love.
Or the promises to one, the other gave.