OUTLANDER in IAMBIC TETRAMETER

                                             

Outlander in Iambic Tetrameter

By Denise Sevier-Fries

With lovely piercing eyes of Gold

A Lass just wed a little while;

Will Witness soon a Tale Untold

For Destiny must Reconcile.

Claire’s choice would never come to Play

It was not she, who thought to Leave;

Her heart was full that Fateful Day

No wish for Husband left bereaved.

The Night before they’d hid so well

To watch the Solstice Dancing Crones;

The next day Lost! For Ancient Spell!

She’d fallen through the Standing Stones.

She tumbled, spinning! Flash of Light!

Then back to Earth, she tried to Cope;

But guns and cries did give her Fright

Now Lost and Helpless, stripped of Hope.

Then Evil came and took its place

Before her stood a Deadly Foe;

A Wicked man, Beloved Face

A Secret buried long ago.

Then came a rescue! Clansmen fought,

The Scottish fighters, Fearsome bold;

She found a Love she never sought

Forever in her Heart to hold.

This Virgin Lad so sweet and brave

Did win her over, kept her Safe;

And then his Soul, to her he gave,

A fact that made for Others' Chafe.

The Era was so Magical

Where Nessie freely roamed The Loch

But there were those more Practical

Like Jamie, Laird of Lallybroch.

The sadist Black Jack Randall forced

The need for Claire and Jamie wed;

Which led for married Lass, of course

To Duty bound on Marriage Bed.

But Consummation was not all

That throve above the Revelry

A Revelation felt by all

Would show that They were meant to be.

And so the Frasers' lives did Blaze

Their journeys, Wondrous, still enthrall

Diana’s stories still Amaze

Her Spirit captivates us All.

WORDSCHMIDT

A single word can change your life.

When I was singing in a small opera company, I met many interesting and talented people. One man in particular, Peter, was an attractive and brilliant tenor from Germany who lived in Canada intermittently, singing in our productions whenever possible. He could not speak English so we rarely did more than nod and say ‘hello’ in passing.

Before he returned in 1997 to perform with us, he learned from a rather musical grapevine that I was newly separated and on my own. I was flattered to find out later that he quickly enrolled in an English course so he could talk to me.

He should demand his money back.

Talking with him was like a continual game of charades, but with his thick accent and shy, thoughtful manner, it was all very charming. I decided the concert hall where we rehearsed had far too many ears in the walls so I asked Peter to come over to my house for a coffee. I wondered if he was quiet and serious all the time, or just in crowds.

It was the afternoon that one word altered my world forever.

Denise: Would you like some more coffee?

Peter: Yes. Sank you.

Denise: So...as I was saying, I like reading the newspapers to keep up on world events. In fact, a U.S. politician is making headlines right now for wearing woman’s underwear. How funny is that?

Peter: I don’t know vy? Zer iz nussing wrong vis a man verring vomans underver.

Denise: Really?

Peter: Of course!

Denise: (incredulously; louder and more slowly) You don’t think there’s anything wrong with a man wearing woman’s underwear?

Peter : (sensing a problem developing; smile waning). No. I don’t sink zer is anysing wrong vis zis...

Denise: Would you wear woman’s underwear?

Peter: (looking uncomfortable; laughs weakly) Vell yes...vy not? Especially somesing pretty on Walentine’s Day or a birsday! Some men are too embarrassed for zis but I am not.

Denise: (eyebrows raised, ready to clear off the table) I can see why you’ve never married.

Peter: (looks around nervously like a trapped animal, then suddenly turning a violent red, places hands on both cheeks in horror) Iz zis zee right word ‘verring’? You go to ladies boutique and are ‘verring’ a nice present for her?

Denise: (hopeful) Did you mean ‘buying’? Men buying woman’s underwear is okay? For a gift?

Peter: Ya! Ya! Buying! Oh Got! Zis English iz so schtoopid!

Greatly relieved and laughing until our sides hurt, the ice was thoroughly broken and we had a few more cups of coffee. And we got married in the summer of 1999.

To this day, the poor man cannot go shopping without me asking him if he is going to wear some woman’s underwear for me.

RE-WORKING ABBA'S 'WATERLOO"

*NOTE: If you don't know ABBA's hit song Waterloo, pass this entry by. You won't get it. (But I urge you to find it on YouTube immediately and become One with the Rest of The World).

                                                                     *

Canada Writes offered a fun-type project once wherein they asked you to write new lyrics to the ever-famous Waterloo and give it a personal spin. I did just that and here is my creation. I must say, that I rather like my song much better. It's more...I don't know...meaty, I guess. Sing along and enjoy!

Original lyrics:

My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself

Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo

My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose

(Chorus)

........................................................

 My lyrics:

The scale! I cannot bear to look where I am standing

Two ten? That used to be the number of my locker but no more

My God... I’ve got so... much to lose

Can you... see if I’m... wearing shoes?

Middle age! Here it is knocking on my back door

Middle age! I’m finding hair where twern’t before

Middle age! Back is shot, where’s my pot, got a light?

Middle age! Total... denial... will make it right

Middle age! Haven’t got... energy... left to fight...

Before! I used to eat all day and never gain weight

But now! I gain a pound by looking at a picture of a cake

Forgive me for being so crass

But it all... seems to stick... to my ass!

(repeat chorus)