Upon a Tomb of Ancient Bloom
Passed down through generations of my family history
is the story of a man buried, and of an ensuing mystery.
It's an age old story that my ancestors have always told
about the presence of a rose appearing in winter's cold.
The tale relates the meeting of a beautiful lass, Kate O'Leary,
and a handsome sailor, docked in the Irish port of Kerry.
It's said they met on a night when the Irish moon was full
drawn to each other as strong as the lunar magnet's pull.
Young Kate was heading home from work at Donegal Inn
when she came across a man wearing the silliest grin.
The lass lowered her eyes and sidestepped the young gent.
He was taken by her looks, so he followed where she went.
Kate heard him whistling as she reached her cottage door.
She turned to face him as she entered, he was there no more.
She waited a moment longer, but heard nary a single sound,
but in the light of morn' she found him sleeping on the ground.
A gentle boot to his leg, awoke the sailor from his sleep.
"What is it ye be wantin'?" She asked. He spoke in voice deep,
"I've never seen a fairer maid than the one before my eyes.
I'm thinkin' you're an angel wearin' a lovely woman's disguise."
Kate found his words to her liking and his smile even more.
She learned he was from nearby Dublin, not far from her shore.
Jaime McClure was his name, he told her as he struck a pose.
That night when Katie reached her door, she found one white rose.
Only a fortnight did Jaime stay in Kerry the first time he arrived.
Long enough to fall in love. Kate prayed each time he survived
another voyage in stormy seas, off the coast of the Emerald Isle
but Jaime was late in coming home and Kate no longer smiled.
A week past the time when Jaime's ship was presumed lost,
upon the shore of Kerry, wreckage and bodies had been tossed.
There she found her husband, his ship had met its fatal doom.
She buried Jaime's body as the snow fell upon his stone tomb.
The tale goes on to tell that in County Kerry, each time it snows,
there upon the grave of Jaime McClure is found a single white rose.
I've planned a trip to visit Kerry in the midst of next Winter's chill
then I'll see if love between them blooms in the grave upon the hill.
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February 11th, 2016
A Tomb Of Ancient Bloom Contest sponsored by Justin Bordner
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