The Mistress ~1860~

The Mistress ~1860~
By
La Belle Rouge

She was unknown and well hidden
His acquaintances knew not her name
Living in a part of the city
where those of his station seldom came
But he was coming to her each night
in the canopied bed
by soft candlelight
She was only his mistress
and had no legal rights
but she was the rose of his heart

She wore for him the clothing he bought
Satins, silks and brocade
She was a rare beauty who stole his heart
in her arms was where he laid
forgetting the stressful, long workday
the cold shoulder waiting at home
He never stayed, leaving well before light
She was only his mistress
with no legal rights
but she was the queen of his heart

She made him tea, made him dinner
and in that canopied bed
she made him feel like a winner
She could never be more than she was now
but with a man like him
it seemed enough somehow
She gave him all her love on “Their” nights
She was only his mistress
and had no legal rights
but she was the song of his heart

The news came to her from a mutual friend
Her man would never be back again
The pressure of work and hatred at home
had taken its harsh toll
and now he was gone
The figure in black dress and heavy veil
bent over the casket
and on cold lips her warm kiss fell
“Who is that woman?” the funeral guests asked
thinking her a relative from his past
She turned and disappeared into the night
She was only his mistress
with no legal rights
but she was the love of his life

© 7-29-2003 La Belle Rouge

“Poetry, Love Whispers”


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