The Poddington Project: Christine DeWinter The Stone Lady Long ages ago, in a past generation When air hung in stillness between earth and sky Before there was wind, no breeze ruffled the meadows And life was mundane for the folks such as I. One day came Tahirah, to grace our small village And instantly loved by all men, she became All women soon saw her as sister or daughter She filled us with love, we'd be never the same Soft skin that was sunkist, and eyes like bright onyx Obsidian tresses, her smile made of pearls She carried herself with a grace otherworldly Tahirah, beloved o'er all human girls. She giggled with Willow, and smiled with Sun, then At night she would whisper her secrets to Moon. The beasts of the field would tarry to listen When River and she made up glorious tunes. The flowers bent down, to her beauty, in homage Each hoping she'd choose it to pluck and to wear For blossoms could dream of no more finer honour Than nestling deep in her ravengold hair Gramercy the Bard, how he loved our Tahirah And she loved him back, as she loved all the rest He met her one day, she was harvesting roses And gathering them to her virginal breast. He begged 'Oh please wed me.' She giggled 'Gramercy! My heart is so big, you would rattle around' She kissed him, and picked up her arm full of roses While brooding took root in his heart's fertile ground Gramercy then brooded, 'We should be together I'd make her so happy the rest of her days' A voice from behind him, so raspy, discordant Asked 'What is the price you are willing to pay?' He answered unthinking 'Tahirah is priceless For her, I would sell the last hair on my head' 'Then bring me the flower that rests in her tresses Together forever you'll be' the voice said. Tahirah was sitting, her toes in the water, When he, in his ruse, came forgiveness to seek As token, he asked for the rose from her tresses She gave it up freely then sang with the creek. Her song was cut short as a voice cut to stillness A raspy cold voice that Gramercy knew well 'Watch closely as your greed transforms your Tahirah Now look on the rose as I work on my spell' Tahirah watched mutely as flames licked the petals Her feet anchored fast as she stood there in shock And while she shed tears for the flower a-burning Her beauty was slowly consumed by the rock The voice turned attention at last to Gramercy 'Your wish has been granted, she'll always be here Now you, I will change, to the wind ever-moving To whisper 'I'm sorry' to all who have ears. Long ages she's waited, Tahirah in granite For some day a hero, the spell will rescind He'll love without malice, the beautiful lady But until that day, she is loved by the wind. Some say, if you're looking, you might see her smiling, When Sun peeks through branches of Willow at play. Then Wind will approach her, the silent stone lady 'Tahirah', he whispers, 'I'll love you alway' (Robyn Peters)