To Quench Thy Love by © Graham

Today was a day of love for me,
Going to where I'd be wed.
But I took the path through the woodland grove,
Something called me, I could have said.

Gentle singing filled the air,
Sweet, with a feminine grace.
The happy sound of playful joy,
In an idyllic forest place.

There they were, through the branches,
Six maidens in the pool.
Bathing together, enjoying themselves,
Splashing the water cool.

Naked and wanton these females were,
With alluring bodies all.
Their unclothed selves were entrancing,
As they began to call.

"Come join us, please!" they called to me,
"Forget the route you bear,
Shed your thoughts and come to us,
Cast off the clothes you wear."

"I will be wed shortly." I thus replied,
But their soft words began to purr.
"Allow yourself this pleasure now,
Before your life with her."

I succumbed to their temptation,
Removing the clothes that I had worn.
Stepping with joy into the pool,
On that special sunny dawn.

I bathed with them with so much joy,
As they splashed and laughed that day.
We kissed and held each other too,
I'm glad I came this way.

Then they trilled to me, "Let us quench thy love."
And moved closer more and more.
Their faces changed to evil hags,
It was the last sight I ever saw.

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In a holy place a maiden waits,
Her wedding is today.
But her beloved shall never come,
He's gone another way.

The forest pool lies empty,
No women are bathing there.
Until a soul next passes by,
And is caught up in their lair.

"When I first read this poem the other day I was blown away! I thought it was awesome. It depicted a tale which reflects a kind of mystic fantasy, yet it has a powerful message within its lines as well. There is no reward for temptation; nor for succumbing to temptation. The tale shows these beautiful maidens luring this young man into temptation with them, and naturally he could not resist. Despite the fact he is about to wed, and his young bride awaits him. One final "fling" would do no harm, he feels, and he succumbs. But the beautiful young maidens he sees are not what they appear. They change into evil-looking hags so terrifying....and they disappear into the depths of sin with him. All the while, his young bride still awaits him while the forest pool in which they bathes now lays silent and undisturbed. A wonderful poem with a powerful message to be learnt by all. Nothing is as it may seem."