No More Old Maid

A poem about the story of a young lady in the 1700's looking for love, and how she finds it

Once upon a time

In a land far away

There lived a charming girl

Who liked to make things out of clay

She lived in a cozy cottage

With her parents, I might add

She was a lonely young lady

Looking to marry a fine rich lad

Now mind you, she’d looked all over

Exhausted every possible road

Visited every bar in the city

Even kissed a wart ridden toad

I say she was quite a bit clever

And she was taught right from wrong

She tried tantalizing perfumes

Even wrote a nice romantic song

The more she looked for love

The lonelier she became

She only needed to find the right one

There’s no doubt she could light the flame

Her parents loved her dearly

Each day the two of them prayed

That one day their only daughter

Would no longer be an old maid

They called her Miss Lilly

Her skin was fairer than the snow

Hair more golden than a nugget

And a mind anyone would love to know

One day little Miss Lilly

Was in an artistic mood

She worked her imagination

And molded her a handsome clay dude

She made him from the finest clay

Tall dark and handsome of course

She gave him the title of Prince

And even modeled him a horse

Now I’ll tell you no lie

Her parents were beginning to think

Maybe their daughter lost her mind

Maybe they should send her to a shrink

“Oh mother” Lilly pleaded

“My mind is quite intact,

It’s just there are no real men

Out there that I can attract.”

After much deep thought, her father

Came up with quite an idea

“Take these two gold pieces,

And go see the witch Maria”

“Bring with you this man statue

Let her know where your mind’s at

She may give you a magic potion

Or a really insightful chat”

The break of dawn that very next morning

Miss Lilly was on her way

She brought plenty of food and water

As her journey would take most the day

Her father had her ride his best stallion

And the perfect map he drew for her

He wanted her to make the trip in a timely manner

And no mishaps to occur

Miss Lilly enjoyed adventure

Especially one of this kind

She looked forward to all the nature

And sightings that she might find

She decided to take it slower

There was much out there to appreciate

To rush a venture such as this one

Would be quite a boring fate

She climbed the highest mountains

Road through the thickest woods

She even stopped at a market

To buy some pricey goods

She was a bit amazed

To find this far from home

So many different types of creatures

And gardens, but no gnomes

In no time she reached her destination

She made her way to Maria’s home

Soon she’d have all the answers

No longer would she have to roam

The good witch found it fascinating

The way she could model a bit of clay

She even asked her to make something special

For her to give to her mom one day

Lilly found Maria quite interesting

Beautiful and smart

Yet she just couldn’t make sense of it

She too had no one to give of her heart

When she asked young Maria

Did she not want to be involved?

She said she was quite happy

By herself, no mystery there to solve

When Maria asked why she visited

Lilly tried to explain

She said it was her parent’s request

To make sure she was not insane

She went on to explain her predicament

And what she fantasized for her life

That she dreamed of many riches

And to be a handsome young man’s wife

“Oh this is quite an easy task”

Maria said with a grin

She gave her a potion in a vile

And made a toast with her and some gin

‘My parents knew what they were doing’

Lilly thought to herself as she went on her way

She was sure this spell was quite perfect

And she would be married very soon one day

Before Lilly mounted the stallion

She opened the potion and smiled

She couldn’t wait to get this spell on its way

So she could marry and one day be with child

All those wishes and dreams of her future

Went through her beautiful mind

She drenched her fake man with the potion

Repeating the words in hopes of true love to find

No sooner than a minute

Even quicker than that

The magic began to work its charm

Lilly watched as she sat

It wasn’t like puff the magic dragon

Or jack and the bean stalk

It was just a simple spell that worked

No longer no man she would have to stalk

In the wake of all the amazement

Lilly watched as the magic began

There before her stood an out standing being

a tall dark handsome buck of a young man

When Lilly and her prince arrived home

They announced their plans to be wed

Her parents were amazed and in deep shock

At all that had just been said

No longer would dear Lilly

Be lonely in any way

For now that she would marry

She smiled brighter than any sun-ray

© Rebecca Jeanine

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I do like a story with a happy outcome, and you certainly gave us that Rebecca in your poetic epic. It took me back to childhood too and your narrative kept me in suspense. I just wanted a happy ending this morning. You didn't disappoint.

Chris

[¿]

This gives me the vibes of my notorious childhood. ....where my only amusement was such fairy like magical tales....and here it's more amazing to read as it's main genre is labelled as poetry!!
Little Miss Lilly's journey was full of non exhausting adventure I feel...made her happiness reached to the highest heights as she found the titled prince of her own...Good witch like Maria if found in real...I bet the earth won't be earth anymore....where actually twill be named the place of most peacefulness!
Amazing read of 18th century...thanks for sharing Rebecca!😊