The wolf is getting married
In the front garden of the house next door
I’ve climbed the fence so I can see
The face of his bride who isn’t me
What I mean is there’s no safety
In my freedom from his stare
Lost to the dark woods I once loved
Now I’ll never laugh again
The wolf is getting married
Dressed in tuxedo and bowtie
The sky should not be blue
The sun should not peep through
His heart was my heart
His fear was my fear
But his home was never my home
This tear is my tear
Now she is standing beside him, holding a bent bouquet
The preacher man has spoken the words to make him a happy man
Yes, he is getting married
In the front garden of the house next door
My invitation never came ~
Not a wolf I would have tried to tame
The Lyrics
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written for Music with Marian on Real Toads, with apologies to the original artist for leaning heavily on her words. I have long been an admirer of Sinead O'Connor's music. Watching her perform is an inspiration..
Ahh... unrequited love.
ReplyDeleteHis heart was my heart
His fear was my fear
But his home was never my home
This tear is my tear.
Very touching write Kerry. Sinead is a fabulous singer and inspirational activist, isn't she.
She is, and I found the lyrics of this song particularly intriguing.
DeleteThe protagonist's melancholy is palpable, as is her acceptance of truth and facts. I quite enjoyed following the flow of your words, Kerry, as you wove the tale to its moral end.
ReplyDeleteI guess one has to know when to give up!
DeleteIf I am not mistaken, it seemed that the narrator had mixed feelings about the wolf...having perhaps had her chance, but sensing the differences; but now when he marries another she has her regrets. A very natural and human response, I think, when one once cared about marries another...
ReplyDeleteI like the way you read into this song/poem, Mary. This is a very intuitive response.
Delete"The face of his bride who isn’t me"
ReplyDeleteLove that.
The face of one's rival... Grrrr!
Delete"Lost to the dark woods I once loved
ReplyDeleteNow I’ll never laugh again"
Oh, the aching echo of loss and longing throughout...so well written, Kerry!
The woods are not so scary if the wolf is on your side, I imagine.
Deletehow DOES the story end? because it isn't over yet, right? xo
ReplyDeleteIt never is.
DeleteOh, the tortured torment of a broken heart~
ReplyDeleteThe one that got away, but you knew he would...
And how many hearts will he tear and shred?!
I think we all know a wolf like that~
I wanted more...
It was filled with taunting of what if...
It's true that many women find such wolves dangerously appealing, thinking to be the one to tame them. I don't think her love ends, just her hold on him, for the present.
DeleteSaddest thing in the whole wide world, is to see your Wolfy with another girl. (she said, messing a bit with the words to Sally Go 'Round The Roses)
ReplyDeleteThis won't do, this won't do it all, this being on the outside looking in. Being replaced is just the worst. This is my favorite section:
"His heart was my heart
His fear was my fear
But his home was never my home
This tear is my tear"
Sometimes the replacement is the easier option, less tempting a morsel, but easier to digest. Good luck with those seconds, I say.
DeleteIt's certainly a new tack for our Red. It's inventive, and gives the two-dimensional basket bringer a bit of flesh and blood to fill the shawl. Fine, fine work.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you expressed your thoughts more than my whole poem :)
DeleteThanks for the visit.
Love this slant on Mr Wolf, Kerry. I could listen to wolf stories all day! In fact, this morning, I get to!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSure brings up memories of younger days that I'm glad are past. But, like they say, you've gotta kiss a lot of toads - or wolves - before you find your prince.
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this poem! This line-- "there’s no safety
ReplyDeleteIn my freedom from his stare" -- makes me think of Janis Joplin and "Bobby McGee," as in the refrain "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." I love the setting of looking over the fence, not even invited but still a fly on the wall. And why wasn't she invited? Could it be he has feelings???? "This tear is my tear."
But, safety lies in your last line, after all, I think.
Sounds like the bride is the one who should be crying! Well done, just loved this.
ReplyDelete