By The Window
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
Humming a tune that nobody will know,
Tapping her foot to the sound of her music,
Stroking her hair while she rocks to and fro.
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
A hint of a smile, from the secret she holds.
Close by, an oak box sits upon her sparse table,
The key in her apron worth much more than gold.
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
One thought in her head, as she passes each day.
Her long ago dream will make happy her future,
She knows he’ll come for her, he promised he’d stay.
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
Through lingering winters she pulls round her shawl.
Bitter cold nights, spinning thread from the sheep’s fleece,
Intent on the yearned for lovelight she recalls.
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
The holes in her stockings are more than what’s left,
Her shawl’s nearly threadbare, her pocket, torn patchwork,
But still, there’s a candle that burns in her chest.
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
The wretched frame yielding to pained, fragile glass.
Her scrawny hands clutching the metal key, tightly,
She has no idea how much longer she’ll last.
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
A glimmering light flickers, matching tired eyes,
Although they are dimming, hope keeps them from failing,
The echoes of what could have been still implies.
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
Translucent, gaunt skin, shows deep lines on her face,
The box on the table is open & glowing,
The contents are strewn all over the place.
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
As tattered drapes flail, there’s a heart-wrenching sound.
The icy winds howl, a dark shadow before her;
She knew it! The waiting! Her sweetheart was found!
Have you seen Molly? She sits by the window.
Her frail form slips helplessly, cradled with love,
Silently fading, two hands intermingle,
A handwritten letter, floats down from above.
30th April 2019
I pass this window every day. It’s seen better days, but there’s a strange beauty about how nature reclaims everything….eventually.
G.Edward Smith says:
The constant reiteration of Molly really builds the tension in this one. One of my favorites so far.
Debbie Jones says:
I’m so glad you got that, Edward..I hoped it would give the feel of her desperation as the years go, & she’s still waiting for the return of her lover. Thank you very much for your kind comments ☺️
JOY journal says:
I think I know the tune. 🙂 Nice use of meter and repetition.
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you very much for your kind comments, Nora. Funny, I’d never thought of it with a tune, maybe because it’s very visual to me, but other folks see/hear it in a different way..very interesting! ?
mabelfrancis says:
This one is beautifully penned dear Debbie.
Debbie Jones says:
You are too kind, Mabel, thank you so much. ☺️?
Peter's pondering says:
I love this. Like Joy, I have been singing this one. I would really like to play around with it to musicalise it (that’s my word and I claim all rights to it!). Would you mind if I did? There really is some existing music to fit but I keep coming back to Simon and Garfunkel’s “America”. Please, pretty please, can I?
Debbie Jones says:
Wow! I never thought of it as a song, but I’d be honoured if you’d like to play around & put it to music, Peter..thank you, that would be amazing! And, once again, thank you for reading & for your very kind comments. I love “musicalise” haha..it is your word & I, for one, won’t let anyone take it away from you! ?
Peter's pondering says:
It may take me a while (a long while) as I’m pretty busy with various things at the moment, but I’ve made some notes (forgive the pun) already.
Debbie Jones says:
Fantastic..take as long as you like, Peter..the pun is forgiven! ? My favourite singer/songwriter, Gretchen Peters, has a saying, which she has also had printed onto tee shirts, “Sad Songs Make Me Happy” if you don’t know of her music, she writes songs about some very gritty subjects..I think you might like her ?
Peter's pondering says:
I shall look her up. Thank you.