To Steal A Heart

To Steal A Heart

By Cathy Collar

The room was bathed in moonlight

As through the door he crept

Into the inns small quaint room

Where the Dark Haired Beauty Slept.

T’was along the roadside,

His first glimpse received.

It brought a pounding to his heart,

A weakness to his knees.

His first plan was to rob her,

Her coach expressed her wealth.

Instead, his heart she stole from him,

He could not help himself.

But nay, she was a lady.

Far above the likes of him.

He gazed at her in slumber,

Through the window light so dim.

A Highwayman, a Robber,

That’s what he was, a Rake.

He should leave her room this instant,

For his own heart’s sake.

As he swiftly turned to leave,

His cloak caressed her face.

She stirred and shifted in her bed

Suddenly awake!

She saw him in the shadows.

Her heart leapt to her throat.

Somehow she found her voice,

As she softly spoke.

Please do not harm me sir,

For I am truly unarmed.

Take what you want of purse and jewel

But please leave me unharmed.

Nay, tis not your Jewelry,

Or your purse that is at stake.

Tis you my dark haired beauty,

That I have come to take.

What he saw in the moonlight,

Was not fear in her eyes.

She knew panic would not help

She must stay calm and wise.

You flatter me, my dear sir

Place me above my jewels.

My rubies, my emeralds,

And my exquisite pearls.

Oh yes, though I must confess,

Your pearls are quite exquisite.

They were not and are not now

The purpose for my visit.

Sir what you plan to take,

Will give you no pleasure.

Tis that which only hold dear

And will always treasure.

If you are a master thief,

And skilled at your art,

And if you must steal from me,

Then let it be my heart.

A Red Black Rose appeared,

From where she could not tell.

It’s fragrance unlike any

She had ever smelled.

It mingled with his musky scent,

She felt her heart surrender.

As his firm lips captured hers,

A kiss to be remembered.

Awaking to the morning light

The night was such a blur.

Was it a dream, had he been there,

She could not know for sure.

As questions wandered in her head,

The Red Black Rose she spied.

On it a satin ribbon,

Where a small note was tied.

Breathing the heady fragrance,

As the note she read.

She was not sure if she were pleased,

Or sad by what it said.

To my Dark Haired Beauty,

Whom I may no more see,

Know this; I did not steal from you,

Anymore  than you from me.

Let the Black Red Rose remind you,

Though we be worlds apart.

We will always hold the treasure,

Of each others Heart.