Rendezvous

inside an imposing red brick lodge
close to the entrance of what once
served as a sanitorium for those
sickly and suffering from
tuberculosis

nestled in magnificent surroundings
at the centre of our expansive leafy
south downs an English king would
rendezvous with his high society
mistress

here where leaves flutter and fall in
diverse shapes with their hues of
autumnal rust or gold coin drop to
form thick layers on paths as we
breathe in air rinsed by recent rain

imagine the warmest of welcomes
which Alice Keppel bestowed on her lover
in greeting as he clasped her right hand
raising her slim white finger tips to his
wanting royal lips

as she elevated her adoring glance
to seduce the twinkle in his eager eye
as her sumptuous silk on satin skirts
rustled to a low sweeping submissive
curtsy

Reviews

[softlyfall]

"Royals" is perhaps the most classist word I have ever heard, no wonder my mother loved it, she was very fond of her own royal heritage, nefarious as it was. They look like ordinary people to me, no different than the men, women and children who we served at the mission on Thanksgiving.
Shakespeare understood- "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?" (Shakespeare was my 12th great-grandfather, so I am very fond of quoting him lol)
That being said, I loved the poem. It has the feel of choreography, especially the last stanza.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed the read Amy. Thank you. I quite like our history dating back a thousand years or so. The monarchy isn’t perfect but it brings in the tourists :)) Many thanks.

Chris

[Scott Kris]

We are all Royals in the arms of a lover…
“Reign here a queen within my heart.”
Thank you for sharing this lovely poetry.

[Chris Shaw]

What a thoughtful review. Many thanks Scot. Pleased you have enjoyed some of my poetry.
read moreWhat a thoughtful review. Many thanks Scot. Pleased you have enjoyed some of my poetry.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... we feel the passion of the Royalty; in many ways they are
dealing with situations that the Common folk encounter. There is always a Reason for Rendezvous...
and the Gossip Lovers seem to not understand. We are all Wiser as we mature, and some have Mentors that have helped them to avoid mistakes. Of course, God in his Mercy will know our Heart. tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Pat. Royalty have always had their affairs. There is much in the history books about it. I appreciate you checking this one out. Sending all good wishes across the pond.

Chris

[Ciara]

The royals and their multitude of scandals... :)
I adore your recreation of this rendezvous.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ciara. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[William Michael Reeves]

I imagine the rendezvous in a sanitarium wasn't easy back then. Probably impossible now when everything is seen by cameras and phones. This poem made me think about how institutions of old were magnificent buildings and royalty are human beings just like the rest of us. Daring and longing.

[Chris Shaw]

The rendezvous took place in the red brick cottage in the grounds of the sanitorium built by Edward VII. Nowadays there would be absolutely no chance of doing that discreetly. The royals were known for their affairs, especially Edward VII. Thanhs fir reading Bill.

Chris

[Gee]

It would seem tis inbred into royalty, taking lovers. Will be Interesting to see if Wills can keep his in his pants and for the eyes of Kate only :))
Enjoyed the read Christine.
Hope you are all well

[Chris Shaw]

All good here Gee. Trust all is well for you and yours. Ta muchly for stopping by. Let’s hope for Kate’s sake he behaves himself :)

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

we have the same thing here in the colonies except we call them escorts and king and prince are names of dogs.
Loved your description of the leaves.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Winston. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Perdition]

The details of the history seem somewhat secondary to the images and what really seems to happen everywhere and though it is a king it might as well be an old love or two. Not trying to belittle the overall meaning of it just love the flow/pace and the fact that the names just seem to be somewhat superfluous to the rest. I don't often comment on your poetry because why join in on the beauty of a Rembrandt when it is Rembrandt...but I had to join with the rustling leaves and satin skirts on this one...Lovely as always!

[Chris Shaw]

How lovely to have a visit from you,. Really appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts Perdition. All the best.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

A beautifully descriptive scene with King Edward and his lover Alice Keppel, with all the regalia that surrounded them... in their Red brick lodge, as she willingly shards her finger to his "wanting" lips....you put this together with such magic, I felt I was in the audience watching them.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Betty, I appreciate your lovely review. Many thank yous and happy Thanksgiving. All the best.read moreDear Betty, I appreciate your lovely review. Many thank yous and happy Thanksgiving. All the best.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear Chris...hope you had a good one too (do you celebrate in UK?)
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK. Christmas is our big thing :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes here as well! Take good care
Best B

[Soren]

What a wonderfully worded glimpse of the past. I loved the opening where the building was described as a sanitorium for the sick from tuberculosis, a fit setting indeed. Such a contrast to the seductive mistress. Juxtaposition often works so well.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren for stopping by. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All the best.

Chris