Winter's Daughter

Title: The Winter’s Daughter

The following work is a story expressed in poetic rhymes,

a full poetic adventure that I hope you’ll enjoy. If you find it interesting, please leave a comment.

Winter’s daughter

Faraway in northern lands, on a building made of ice,

Father winter, with his servants, ruled the land with force and might

and a princess, slender, sweet with her deep seductive eyes,

white and pale as graceful swan, was his daughter pure and bright.

But her beauty so enchanting was a cause of envy great

for the empress of the night and a reason for distress;

in her dark and magic castle, she would think of her with hate,

lowly jealousy and spite that she could no more suppress.

So she summoned her own mages to alleviate her anguish,

for she suffered long and greatly, and she fiercely now desired

to destroy the icy princess and the winter king to vanquish,

be assured she will be always in this world the most admired.

She had power great indeed as a queen of velvet night

and the stars were all around her to express their adoration

she had beauty, many graces to bring wonder and delight

to the heavens nation’s joy offered moons for decoration.

Yet the mages had no answer, for, alas, the charming virgin

of the winds was more appealing in the tender bloom of youth.

No one dared to face the empress, for indeed, as she was aging,

she was being surpassed in beauty, yet they dared not speak the truth.

Only one of all those present had the honesty to speak.

And he said: “Oh glorious empress, you’re a pearl of rarest beauty,

yet your graceful charm, so dazzling, has already reached its peak.

Straightforwardly I tell you, for I feel it is my duty.

“You’re the force of night most dreamy; you’ve a wealth of brilliant stars;

all the riches of the heavens yours will be and no one other’s,

yet accept the times and ages passing leave on us their scars

and all things are always changing as they did for our forefathers.”

The majestic queen of night shouted, “Throw this man in prison!”

she could not accept the beauty of her youth was gone forever,

and the words of the old wizard she considered act of treason.

Thus she lost a faithful helper to remain with those more clever.

She had gathered and assembled many flatterers in court.

All those vultures most indecent, that could lie with no remorse,

did advise her to be ruthless and to build the greatest fort,

to prepare for war her soldiers and attack with every force.

Even so, the icy kingdom of the winter king most gracious

had an army potent still, and his force of arms was great;

every soldier in his army was determined and tenacious

had the makings of a hero, every necessary trait.

So the queen of night had challenged a most formidable foe;

all her stars were bright and brilliant, bringing light to darkest night,

yet she needed hired dragons to inspire fear and awe

to unleash her fiery vengeance, melt the ice, and then take flight.

So she sends her emissary, an old star she made a count,

to go bargain with the king of those evil monsters vile.

All the stars in heaven surely were innumerable to count,

yet they lacked the art of fighting and the necessary guile.

In the frozen winter palace of the winds and of the snow

the young princess looked enchanted with her blue and brilliant eyes,

as there was a strange figure sweet and lovely with a bow

with a dress of magic flowers of all colors as disguise.

Never had she seen a figure with such grace and as enchanting,

a pure angel that majestic, with such heavenly attire.

In the air, a most harmonic and hypnotic sacred chanting

gave the princess sense of wonder and a reason to admire.

So she ran to meet the lady that did suddenly appear,

for the magic of her beauty was magnificent indeed,

unaware of any danger, thinking that she needn’t fear,

for with kindness full of goodness, helped all those who were in need.

And, in her, there was no blackness, not a sense of envious spite;

she had never harmed a person and to all that asked had given,

hadn’t argued or neglected man or elf, nor tree or sprite,

and to those who ever wronged her was most gracious, had forgiven.

Once she saw the magic lady in her dress adorned and splendid,

was unable to refrain from her gazing most entranced,

though the lady was hypnotic, she seemed harsh and most offended,

that the curious winter’s daughter had annoyed her as she danced.

“Impious child,” she yelled in anger, “you have shown me disrespect!

I’m the glorious spring of ages and the queen of flowers fragrant.

You’ve disturbed my joyful dancing; you’ve approached me to infect

my most gentle heart with fury, you obnoxious little vagrant.”

The young princess hesitated for a single moment only;

she apologized with candor as a proper princess does:

“Oh, my lady,” said so sadly, “in the castle, I felt lonely,

for my father, with his duties, has no time for me, alas.

“I feel sorry I’ve intruded, gracious lady of the flowers.

With humility, I beg you to forgive my misbehavior.

I shall leave you to your graceful dance, oh mistress, who empowers

the whole nature with aromas that I’ll keep in heart and savor.

“You endow this earth with fragrance and the passing brook and river,

with your gentle breeze, the lovers fill with patience and devotion.

And so, honored gracious mistress, to my palace that is hither

I will dare invite you, goddess who sets hearts of men in motion.”

Upon hearing words more courteous, feeling flattered and admired

by the girl so pale and precious, she assumes a different tone;

for the spring, this glorious deity, never grew of praises tired,

and she graciously decided to agree and thus condone.

“You’re a cunning little vixen, this I’ll say and must admit.

Since you are to me so courteous, I shall hold no grudge towards you

and I will return the favor when and how I deem it fit.

Have no doubt that, when it’s due, Spring, the queen of blooms, rewards you.”

With such words, the spring departs, brilliant birds around her gather;

wings appear on her outspreading, and she flies away ethereal,

a supreme and glorious presence, for this world a tender mother,

with serenity and brilliance most majestic and imperial.

When the princess turns to face her beloved icy dwelling,

suddenly the sky blackens, and a raven’s croak foreboding

echoes ominous and dire, as a shadow’s lament wailing,

to announce a coming specter every wickedness embodying.

Darkest serpent out of Hades, horrid from the empress sent

and towards the icy castle, dread incarnate, spews its fire,

while the stars of night as fighters with their swords and bows descend

from the aery land of heaven to obey the night’s desire.

As, in awe, she sees attacked her abode and home paternal,

she collapses weak and fragile in this case of dire need.

All she thought were true and lasting sees destroyed from rule nocturnal

by the dragons’ dark, infernal, hellish, and demonic breed.

When awakened, pale and sickly by her horrid fierce ordeal,

as she looks around, she finds she is safe in place of wonders,

as a temple made of trees chanting hymns so sweet that heal

her deep hurt, and yet she fears and who brought her there, she wonders.

Suddenly, she hears a voice as a flowing sparkling brook

soothing her and saying softly “Daughter precious, have no fears!”

and she feels a glorious presence, so she turns her head to look,

and discerns the brilliant figure of a woman that appears.

Her two eyes so full of wisdom of some timeless existence,

yet she’s beautiful, surrounded by a glowing mist of light,

“I am nature,” she says softly, “and shall offer thee assistance,

for you are unique, my daughter, source of brilliance and delight.

“From the icy realm of winter, with your smile, you fill with joy

and with gladness every corner of my solitude unending.

I will, therefore, guard and keep you from the cunning devious ploy

of the dark nocturnal kingdom and the empress most unbending.

“It was wise to please my kin, in the person of the spring.

She is often too severe with demeanor domineering;

more agreeable and gentle she becomes to those who bring

gifts to her of recreation and of beauty most endearing.

“Through your cordial invitation, you have gained a loyal friend,

and she asked me to protect you from the empress’s attack.

So, my servants I have summoned of deliverance to send

and assured the tender blossom of your youth remains intact.

“Great indeed the horrid grievance of the night most vain and dark,

yet know this, without believing, what I say is promise void.

I’ve prepared for you a journey upon which you shall embark

in the land of greater forces every hazard to avoid.

“Where the horses of his chariot the most potent ruler time

leads so forceful and directs, grasps their golden reigns with might,

past and future spirits summons, from the misty frozen rime,

and enjoys the freeing essence of eternal, pure delight.

“There, you’ll journey with all caution. If your army perseveres,

and the triumph of your father night is pressured to admit,

I shall offer you a trifle, beauty’s boon that she reveres;

even she shall not deny it, will respect you and submit.”

So the gentle maiden goes, and she’s heading southeast,

leaving back the frozen lands, governed by the gracious winter,

noble sovereign of frost ruling every man and beast,

sensing that perhaps, in fact, if she stayed, his acts would hinder.

And the graceful nature mother offers refuge and repose,

passage to a world of forces, a society most godly.

With the aim the utter darkness and the empress to oppose,

with her forces, most imposing, fight her tyranny most boldly.

Yet the gentle maiden princess feels so weak with no defense;

she had never been alone far away from home and hearth.

And, to face this dire danger of a foe with wrath immense,

she sets forth without her father, fares alone upon this earth.

Still, the wrath of night is present as a bane throughout the land

and with mercenary dragons she lays siege to keep all captive

and her magic scepter grasping firmly with her forceful hand

keeps her subjects in submission for her cause and purpose, active.

And the winter king, most laden with this diabolic scourge

of a foe most bent to harm him, bringing famine, thirst, and trial

pays the toll for being lenient, good, and noble on the verge

of his sanity and reason in some constant deep denial.

In his castle, always walking as a specter, fiendish dark

seeing forms of his forefathers while a servant doleful watches

hearing howling wolves, he shivers, rabid screaming dogs that bark

as the elder winter monarch on his past, more blissful latches,

reminiscent of his glory as a victor, most audacious,

passing through the gate of epochs, having conquered dimensions,

offering his foes his mercy, gentle, generous, and gracious

judging everyone according to his measure, good intentions.

With his sword of ages raised and his armor strong and shiny

winter braved the lands of heat, faced unbearable conditions;

however, when his daughter, as a pearl most bright and tiny,

held as father truly tender, left all worldly vain ambitions.

She departed with no warning, wounded his paternal heart;

every moment now seems empty, and his woe and lamentation

can’t suppress; in constant torment, this old king will soon depart

for his last and final journey to the highest angels’ nation.

Though the king was in dismay, all his foes were still uncertain,

since the empress harsh, tyrannic was becoming more upset,

as a glorious older actress, when it’s due to close the curtain,

grows more worried, fully knowing that her former light has set.

All the messages received gave no sign of resolution,

the participants acknowledged none of them had won the fight;

in a land consumed by fire, all desired a solution,

yet the stubborn soul of darkness, night herself, ignored their plight.

For the truth she was unable to confront and never dared.

As the prideful strutting peacock next to a most gracious swan,

the flamboyant shallow beauty when to modesty compared,

she knew well the bird angelic every contest would have won.

To her fury heard the empress that her enemy was gone.

No one saw her leave, yet rumors had her living now in pleasure;

some would say the maiden charming was a queen upon a throne,

for the noble earl of time found a spouse in her to treasure.

Gentle beauty, sweet and cordial, with a silky crystal voice,

loved by monarchs and the people as a source of bliss and merit

all desired her to fully have all mortal blissful joys

and her son the throne as regent, glorious monarch to inherit.

So the queen of night acquires means to help her be transformed,

and disguised as humble beggar to traverse the stormy sea

on the fate of the young princess to be truthfully informed

with her eyes become most certain and assuredly to see.

For her hate had not extinguished her unknowing adversary

but it led her to such glory only few in life had tasted

she, the empress of the shadows, found it horrible and scary

that the princess so mistreated was for triumph glorious fated.

She sets forth to find the princess even though the war is raging.

On her silver chariot flying, dragged by winged pitch-black mares,

seeks the pale and frozen beauty by her envy quickly aging;

old, decrepit, weak, and bitter, she spews curses and despairs.

Now she knows that she has erred as her hatred vile had stolen

everything in her of value, great the price she had to pay;

tried to cut the youthful flower of the maiden, yet she’s fallen

in a trap beguiled by evil, as a pawn in its dark play.

Suddenly she sees a vision wrapped by iridescent light

it was nature, most majestic, filled with tenderness, sincere

“You now know, my ancient daughter, empress noble of the night,”

says to her with tender meekness. “Come to me, my love, my dear!”

And the night, as if reborn, feels a gentle warmth inside,

for she thought her outer beauty was the means to be endeared,

yet she feels this tender mother always waited by her side

to return to womb and bosom, free of everything she feared.

With the force of nature flying far beyond the cosmic borders,

night aware of her misguided animosity at last,

in relief, she fully senses being lifted from her shoulders

all the burden of her sorrow, and she’s free from torments past.

Yet she has one more desire, one and only final plea,

she desires the forgiveness of the frozen maiden yet,

for she did her most unjustly harm and needs to clearly see

that the maiden can forgive her and her wickedness forget.

So the tender mother nature takes the empress by the hand,

and she leads her to the bedroom of the winter’s gentle daughter

she is truly most delighted. In this timeless magic land,

more than shelter, kingly spouse, fate and destiny had brought her.

She’s alarmed at first yet fearless she awakes and stands erect

yet indeed, she reconsiders when she listens with attention;

hugs the empress as a sister and in endless deep respect

Nature’s hand she kisses, grateful for her timely intervention.

“Gentle nature, I’m your servant says the maiden, full of tears

yet a gift of love and friendship still I need to beg with fervor:

Since my sweet and tender father haven’t seen for many years,

how I crave paternal blessing! Take me there as final favor.

“Even though I owe you much, of your grace I dare to ask:

Take me there at least to see him my sad tale of woe to tell.

Many times I’ve prayed to heaven with all earnestness at dusk;

is it possible to see him even for a last farewell?”

“Come, my daughter,” she replies, “for, indeed, the time is here

to relieve his pain and torment and his suffering to end.

Long enough, the noble winter yearned to have his daughter near

and to find you, child most precious, many seekers he did send.

“Far and wide indeed they’d traveled, yet your presence hadn’t found,

for I hid you from the empress and her wrathful furious hatred,

I have weaved some secret magic in the core of earth profound;

to protect and keep you safe greatest wonder I’ve created.

“Yet his passing on to cosmic planes of limitless existence

to relieve his heart from mourning time is definitely nigh.

He’s unwell, and I am troubled, for this is the only instance

when a higher power cosmic wants its godhood to deny.

“He was force immense that greatly had affected this creation,

yet indeed his deepest sorrow had him all he was rejecting;

only you, oh beauteous daughter, can confront the devastation,

which disharmony and chaos bring to men their hearts infecting.”

When the daughter of the winter stands before the palace gate,

all the hidden pain she kept as a treasure made of tears

flows upon return, most precious whitest pearls of sorrow great,

memories of love forgotten in the vault of mind it steers.

In a state of maddened frenzy, as a beast that breaks its chains

runs to see her loving father, who on icy bed now sleeps,

with unbridled lamentation rushes in without restrains

and, with tears of burning fury spurring her, she mourns and weeps.

“Dear and blessed lord and sire, listen to my pleading now!

Ardently I call you, Father, for your absence I can’t bare,

do not head to distant pastures, listen to my oath and vow,

I’m denying every pleasure and the kingly crown I wear.

“Horrid slumber, do not rob me of my old beloved father,

for he is my love most precious, master whom I dearly cherish.

Sea and heaven I shall conquer just to reach where shadows gather

to retrieve the heart I’ve wounded or as orphaned soul I’ll perish.”

As a soul tormented, summoned by a calling warm ethereal,

father winter slowly masters all the power still in him,

his two eyelids tries to open, for this voice most soft familiar

as a butterfly nocturnal draws, as moonlight’s lonesome beam.

“Oh, my daughter, blessed am I to have found you, tender flower.

Finally, I’m elevated to a higher place beyond.

Yet, before I go, I offer my most precious hidden power,

secret cup of glorious winter, token poor of our bond.

“You are now the only ruler of this frozen distant land,

for I know your pure intention; in your heart, you are a queen.

I shall let my throne and scepter to your loving, tender hand,

and I’ll offer you my power to do works till now unseen.”

As the king of winter speaks as a past and gone reflection,

or a flame and spark of heat in the icy snow so frail

after offering his daughter the last gift of his affection

dims and vanishes forever as a ghost tormented, pale.

Then the empress of the darkness, as if wrecked by her remorse

speaks and tells the youthful daughter of the winter filled with shame

that for vanity and hatred she had fought him and the source

of all this horrendous torment, his demise, she was to blame.

She shall leave but offer something great and precious as a friend

symbol of her might and glory her dominion there up high

and the time of her departure is so close as is her end,

finally the moment came to those golden clouds to fly.

So as final retribution she will offer her the scepter

ruling galaxies and planets stars most brilliant in creation,

she shall follow father winter in demise as gloomy specter

seeking comfort for her actions high above in angels’ nation.

Some are crying, others laughing, strange this mixture of emotion,

all participants and watchers waiting long for her reaction

since as alchemists of feelings turning sorrow to devotion

spirits, mortals fill with meaning all and every interaction.

Thus the tempest’s fury ceases, and the princess young now thrives

she’s endowed with many blessings, and this given rule demands

not the shallow worldly knowledge swiftly passing from our lives,

rather needs a heart of kindness to heal all her given lands.

She needs tenderness, compassion, as the whitest, purest dove

the desire true of aiding every hurt and wounded heart

and, in short, to find the courage and tenacity of love,

so that she can teach to others life’s most glorious, perfect art.

Now it’s time for spring’s rebirth; all past centuries are here.

We transcend this age of cold, all restraining ties we sever

to the sacred words of wisdom, all of us must now adhere

not to serve this life’s delusion but to feel love’s warmth forever.

The end