A Priest's Tale of Love

Told she could not love him

They told her to stay away

Behind closed doors he wept

Pining in the dark for her

His heart breaking slowly

Tears flowed to see her face

Hear her voice echo again

In his dark and empty space

Tortured in body and heart

They told him she went away

Unable to love who he is now

Lies they spoke he knew somehow

In the country chapel, just down the lane

A young woman on her knees before God

Before the alter, head bowed, she prayed

Grant him peace and surround him with love

I cannot hold him, comfort or ease his pain

Send your angels for me, whisper in his ear

Let him know his true love and friend is near

Faithful to her prayers and passionate pleas

Each morning the priest would open the doors

At the alter to her knees, she fell to the floor

Patiently she waited in the chapel, listening

Watching the busy lane from the window

Till the sun behind the trees fell to shadow

Moved by her faith, her love and honesty

The priest called upon the man's family

After hearing their pain, worry and woe

He asked to see the young man last

To pray, before he had to go

At last in private the priest began to pray

For peace, covering of love each day

After his prayer he opened his eyes

Only to see the young man cried

"Love has left me," he softly said,

"I cannot find her, stuck here in this bed.

They lie and say she left me,

But I know deep in my heart

Somewhere she is waiting for me

To find her, love her, hold her

Marry her, our life to finally start."

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath

"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.

I do not have her, I am but death."

The priest had his answer at last

Taking the man's hand, holding it fast

"You are not death, do not wish, 

nor look for your last breath.

You have not lost her, she is near.

In her heart she holds your tears.

Strive to be better, believe to be healed.

Then to the chapel and at the alter to kneel.

You will find your love there I feel."

Hope burst within the young man's heart

Day after day he fought back the dark

Keeping her face before his mind's eye

His eyes clear of pain, tears no longer cried

Finally out into the sun he continued to heal

His heart full of love, soon to be sealed

Tired, lonely and heavy with lost hope

The young girl made her way to the chapel

The priest greeted her, taking her cloak

Her visits for a year, a routine they had made

Today her hope at last began to fade

As she knelt before the alter and prayed

Her eyes now dry, heart weary with time

Through the stained glass the sun began to shine

As she knelt, the chapel door began to creak

The priest whispered, a deep voice she heard speak

Keeping her mind on her love, she continued to pray

The heaviness and heartbreak she began to say

Suddenly, a presence next to her kneeled

Heat and strength she could feel

A tear gathered, she refused to cry

Raising her face towards the heavens

Begging God, and asking why

Looking to her side, disbelief caught in her chest

He was there, beside her, love robbing her of breath

Devouring her with his loving gaze

With a cry she reached to caress his face

The priest stood before them, tears in his eyes

"Will you honor, cherish and love each other true?

Till death takes you from the other's side?"

In unison, holding hands, "We do," they cried.

For years to come their story the priest told

A love so strong and passion so bold

Two young lovers weathered the rain

Walked through hell and grew from the pain

In hope we can pray to find a love so strong

"Have faith," he said. "It will not take too long."

(2016©)

Photo Credit: Angel’s Prayer by Bruno (Flickr Creative Commons)