Young Writers Society

Lovewell's Song

The bright September sunshine could warm her face,

No tearful outpour nor silent heartache could win against her grace

Even now she casts sweetgum flowers into the wind, with the billows of her dress chiffon,

Cause it's been a year now since I've been gone…

***

Do you remember when we first met?

I was working the Scioto bottomland soil, seared by the sun and drenched in sweat,

My Papa needed me to stop by where you worked, at the hardware store,

And God himself would provide the winds to drive us to dearest shores

Our love wasn't perfect, we fought, we endured my faithless strain,

But as a Thursday July evening, we cherished dancing naked in the rain

It was the first time for you, the same for I,

We made love and we both cried

***

Now when the summer turned to autumn, she said unto her father;

"Father, I've given my love to someone. I don't care if you fancy it improper."

His eyes grew wild, he whipped her with his belt, left a black ring on her eye,

And when she ran to me and collapse in my arms, I knew he had to die

***

The sunset I saw was hot and red, and I stole my father's Winchester twenty two

And when he opened that door, the flash of his muzzleloader left me no ado

My darling screamed, and her mother blushed,

And in Lovewell's arms my life was forever hushed

Through his laugh her father said; "You've loved too soon!"

But she slammed my rifle butt again her chest, and the whole county heard a booming boon

My father prayed, and my mother wined,

But Lovewell remained to keep the expectance of her life alive

***

The bright September sunshine could warm her face,

No tearful outpour nor silent heartache could win against her grace,

And even now she'll visit my grave to sing her favorite songs…