Godiva

A slightly different take.

I always liked Coventry 

It was peaceful there.

I liked the people,

They were so nice 

To me.

But not my husband. 

How come,

They'd say,

That a lady so kind

Has a husband so vile?

I'd hear.

And an answer would come.

A lady had no say.

They 've given her away.

Sold, 

To the one who could afford her.

The Earl of Mercia.

You'll be his wife, my father said.

I know him now

No more

That seven years ago 

When we were wed. 

He had dark eyes, I noticed. 

He was tall and brash. 

We never shared a word.

Only a wedding bed.

Twice, I think,

In the first year.

Didn't he like me? I thought

He did, but he was too busy.

People loved me.

His people. 

They'd bring gifts

And welcome me.

Coventry folk were the nicest.

They gave me a comb of gold.

For the lady of sunlight,

They said,

The lady of kindness,

The God-given one.

For my name was Godiva,

Which is, God-given. 

The Earl was told 

Of a gift so fine.

And he was beside himself 

With rage.

If they are so rich, he cried,

Let them pay more. 

The taxes were lifted. 

The people would weep

And ask me 

To speak to my husband. 

Save us, good lady! They said

We are too poor to pay.

I went to Leothric. 

(That was his name)

And told him, plainly,

It was too much.

He smiled.  He beckoned.

He said, there is a way.

There's my battle horse.

There's my cloak.

Ride him through the streets.

Naked.

Let's see if that helps.

Must be easy for a lady that pure.

So I went back.

And told the folk-

Listen, I want to help.

So don't you dare look.

As I ride the streets and lanes

Of Coventry- naked.

The doors were shut

The windows- closed.

Except for the tiny keyhole

Of the tailor's door.

The boy would watch

As I rode the streets- naked. 

I did what he asked.

I rode the streets. 

With my hair 

Flying in the wind.

I wasn't scared, really-

But I imagined…

How I drive my vain earl 

Of a husband 

Through the streets of Coventry 

With chains.

And I smiled, and laughed-

And sunlight would dance on my skin.

I gave him his bloody

Horse back.

He was shaken.  He said

He'd never expected this.

I said, I was not surprised 

Since he barely knew me. 

He got rid of the tax.

He showered me

With gifts:

Gold, pearls and lace.

I thanked him, graciously.

He was relieved. 

What he didn't yet know

That his richest cloak 

Would bear the memory 

Of me.

And I'll tell you this:

Good thing it was blood red.

So you might say

I have bought it all

As warriors would- 

With blood.