The Ballad of Whispering Dove

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Salute.

As she stood in the blustering winds

In the half-light
Of a secret candlelit Temple 

Called Vias Vetitum
(Forbidden Ways)

Standing still
Looking stunning 

After years of wildly running 

Forever searching for the lost mythical Spring 

Flowing with Love 

The Maid 
Called the Whispering Dove 

Heard whispers 

As a new song played
From high above 

Tender words floated down 

Surrounding her 

Like gently blown Dandelion seeds 

In those few seconds
Before the red rivers 

Rose-colored scent could guide her 

As it nearby flowed 

A lone voice then whispered words 

Her soul fire needs 

Carried like a soft echo

In the midnight air 

''Deep down
You know

The immortal stain
Of only laughter and pain"

Its low tone rang out like a toll keeper's golden bell 

With a mighty yell
As that line was carefully spoken 

Reminding her 

Is love worth the risk
Of being so broken 

If that's all
That remains 

For if nothing is duly delivered 

Like endless happiness 

Sensuous loving
In smiling long nights 

Will God appear in the half-light 

Like a humble shadow
To explain 

Where does love go 

And as long as it takes to do this 

To find new love 

Is that how long you've got to wait

Maybe for eternity 

As
Whispered by Morgana Dellacort's brother 

Called
Alfonso Profane 

For is there now
Only small victories 

To be found in
second-hand memories 

Emotional connections linked to out-of-date anniversaries 

Of old love 

Bad love
Grief love
Shy Love
Good love
Family Love 

But all love 

And even if no new love 

Can be found in the deep depths of the Mythical Spring 

Is that why God gave us all the profound gifts of memories 

To help us
Let someone 

Who knows us 

Carry us with love
Into the next century 

To sustain 

Even if we can't find anyone to break us 

Out of our own
Self-made penitentiary 

(C)
Copyright John Duffy 

Image shared under fair usage policy from Pinterest.