The Ox-Eyed Daisies of Alderlad

There is a tale I once was told

of a boy who played in fields of white gold.

When he was sad, they made him glad,

the Ox-Eyed Daisies of Alderlad.

•

The boy had grown, many years had passed,

Now a teen, he had met a lass.

Her face was fair, with eyes so bright,

to him, her smile was a heavenly light.

•

He loved her deeply; his heart was taken.

Did she love him true, or was he mistaken?

He ran to the fields, he felt he’d gone mad,

to his Ox-Eyed Daisies of Alderlad.

•

White flowers danced, they loved to be seen,

he laid in their midst and of the lass he dreamed.

Concerned for their boy, whom they loved and cared,

an offer was made to resolve his despair.

•

“Love should be gentle and always kind.

If not returned, it will curse your mind.

Pick a flower and plucks its petals,

“We love you, boy; this matter we’ll settle.”

•

“But that will hurt you, the teen replied,

destroy your beauty and end your life.

You are my friends; my heart beats like mad,

my Ox-Eyed Daisies of Alderlad.”

•

“With gladness and joy we give you our lives,

To free you, release you, from your strife.

Now, pick and pluck your answer to find,

The last petal you hold will loose or bind.”

•

The teen stood up and picked out a flower,

a psychic white bloom with its wheel of power.

Hesitant at first, his heart pitter-pattered,

to accept their gift to settle this matter.

•

Pluck!

“She loves me true.”

Pluck!

“She loves me not!”

Pluck!

“My love's returned.”

Pluck!

“All hope is lost.”

Pluck!

“I am happy.”

Pluck!

“I am broken. No! No! No! The Daisy has spoken.”

•

His hot tears flowed and splashed on the ground.

The Daisies wept with the pain from his wound.

They hugged and consoled him, their sweet lad,

the Ox Eyed Daisies of Alderlad.

•

Many years passed, the boy now a man.

He lived alone, forlorn in the land.

Each day content, with the Daisies he played

Content with his life and the choices made.

•

One day in the fields as white as snow.

A woman arrived he did not know.

She danced, laughed, and with the flowers played.

He watched from afar, his heart afraid.

•

With an angelic face, hair soft as a feather,

she smiled at his stare, “My name is Heather.”

Speechless, tongue-tied, his heart all flutter,

“Hello, I’m Will,” was all he could muster.

•

Every day, in the fields of white gold.

They talked and played for all to behold.

Never forlorn, happy, not sad,

with the Ox-Eyed Daisies of Alderlad.

•

He loved her deeply; his heart was taken,

Did she love him true, or was he mistaken?

Could it be true, this feeling he had?

He’d ask the Ox-Eyed Daisies of Alderlad.

•

Pluck!

“She loves me true.”

Pluck!

“She loves me not.”

Pluck!

“My love's returned.”

Pluck!

“All hope is lost.”

Pluck!

“I am happy.”

Pluck!

“Now I am broken.”

Pluck!

“She loves me. Yes! The Daisy has spoken.”

•

Soon thereafter, the two lovers married.

Where true love's known, you do not tarry.

With their boys, two fine lads,

they shared the Daisies of Alderlad.

•

Throughout the ages, their power renowned,

the story of the Daisies spread around the town.

To England, to France, to every land,

the magical flowers test love firsthand.

•

We give thanks for this glorious tale,

the test of love that cannot fail.

Now you know where it all began.

With Will and Heather in Alderlad.

•

Even today, if you are in doubt

Pick a white daisy, and you will find out.

Don’t suffer despair or ever go mad.

Pluck an Ox-Eyed Daisy of Alderlad.

🌼🌼🌼 🌼🌼🌼 🌼🌼🌼