March 2, 2002
A reflection on the rocky parting of Firemoss and Ravenwing.
Do you love me?
He was lean and pale
Like a birch sapling in New Flood
Spindly and daring with rich, dark eyes
And a soft, flowing crown of black hair.
Do you love me?
And he stared, like a sentinel
Toward the prints of a chief
Who had sojourned, searching,
Seeking something other than a soul.
Do you love me?
"I am leaving," he said,
"I must follow, tonight
"On his path, though dangers
"And pitfalls will scar the way."
Do you love me?
"Will you follow?" he asked,
Gazing at eyes of serene turquoise,
The hue of the heavens
On a perfect, cloudless day.
Do you love me?
Willow-like, in her form
And in her stance. Shaking
Like boughs whipped
In turmoil, she wept.
Do you love me?
"I can not, I must stay.
"Too many have been abandoned.
"The new chief needs hands to help raise her,
"Up, make her trust herself, make her strong."
Do you love me?
Up sprang thick briars and thorns
Piercing already-bleeding hearts
A torn and yearning soul fell quiet, betrayed,
His liege and his lover ever out of reach.
Do you love me?
Like mist, silence settled low,
Shrouding her tears as she turned away.
Sorrowful, she offered no bitter good-byes,
And marked her own road riddled with regret.
Do you love me?
How many days did she lay
Awake, wondering, waiting for him
To return to her? How many times
Did she ask him, sending silently,
Do you love me?
Only for the point to ring
Hollow in her heart, full of sound,
Yet as vague as the roar of the river.
And finally she decided, when she'd asked
Do you love me?
He hadn't answered her
Because he did not.