Laney's Lullaby

On the rocky beaches of the Irish shore,
Once again, I felt the urgent need to wander.
Walking hour after hour, my feet sore,
Nothing upon meaningless nothing, I ponder.

The wind whipping through my red hair,
My dark shawl pulled around my body tight.
Salt water taste in the surrounding air,
I walked from morning until approaching night.

In the fading light I continued to stroll along.
Amongst the crashing waves, something else I heard,
Carried on the nautical breeze, a heartbreaking song
The tune chilled me, yet I understood not a word.

There by the water, the silhouette of a slender man.
His tune saddened me and my curiosity it sparked.
Seeing me, his finger curled from an outstretched hand.
He seemed to be beckoning me in the dark.

Silence hanging between us, I studied his face.
A fleeting moment’s thought, I stepped near,
Something about those eyes caused my heart to race.
Harmless he looked, yet he filled me with fear.

Why did he look so familiar? Does he know me?
His long hair was a golden halo the color of wheat.
A faint smile on his lips. Not a face not forgotten easily.
Was he a memory faded? An image time had cheated?

I offered a polite smile. I knew naught what else to do,
Turning from him I began to resume my wandering pace.
The song following behind me, I turned to question his pursuit.
He whispered “Laney, I knew we’d meet again in this place.”

“Night upon night I’ve sang this song for you, your song,
The one that used to put you to sleep by my side.
Mi’ lover, for you, I have waited so very long.”
Stroking my temple softly, he said over the roaring tide.

“I didn’t want to leave you, Laney. I left you sleeping at dawn.
There was so much left to do, so many things left to say.
You plunged from that cliff, into the ocean when told I was gone.
I never meant to leave you, Delaney, on the fateful December day.”

Memories flooded back, each as vivid and breathtaking as the first
Throwing my arms around him, uncontrollably I wept.
Lacing our fingers together, hand in hand we stepped into the mist
“Together forever.” Even in death, our promise we kept.