In the peaceful camp ground
Beside the rippling stream
Almost it seems
I can hear the steady beat
Of distant drums.

In the sparkle of moon beams
Dancing among the trees
As the water tumbles o'er the rocks
A fair maiden secretly makes her way
To the young brave waiting
For her on the river bank.

Reaching out her arms to embrace
Her lover standing there
She melts into his waiting arms
And lifts her face receiving his tender kiss
Sealing their love with joyful bliss.

Their vow of love as they lingered there
Was the last they would share
For another stepped from the shadows
To claim her as his own.
The struggle was fierce
As an arrow his heart did pierce
And took her chosen brave
To an early grave.

With a wail of grief she cried
And sinking o'er his bleeding heart.
Giving up her will to live
She drove a knife into her breast
And mingling her blood with his
Slowly died.

©Jane Ward Smith
August 20, 2010
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