Bardic Prep Poetry

I will not name the theme for this last one (exercise for the reader), only the additional comment provided from the requester. “Now, here’s the challenge: you have to do it as an Elizabethan would; that is, through wordplay, suggestion, obliqueness, and wit.”

My lady sweet, I stand here, breathless, bless’d
To be now in receipt of long-sought gift.
Reserve deserts—you’ve honored my request?
With savor do these wrappings now I lift.

Beneath protective layers I reveal
Thy precious bud (I’ve often dreamt of such)—
And rightly priz’d, I judge, by scent and feel,
It opes to bare its stigma to my touch.

But I’m no uncouth villain, who might by
Rough handling bruise this most delicate flower.
Nay, gentle and respectfully I try
To coax this nub, should it take o’er an hour…

Until such time it shivers from the wind
And my inspection has well-pleased my friend.

Looking at this one does still make me blush, but I will admit the challenge it presented was really fun to solve.