Way off in the distance
Across the wide river
Near where the far meadow
Meets the trees
I first saw my beloved.

She was picking flowers
To take home
And arrange just so
In her cottage near the field.

She loves beautiful things
And she once loved me
But the water between us
grew so deep and wide
She came to fear the crossing
That would bring her near.

We stood on the opposite banks
Each of us often and alone
Calling out with hope day after day
Come to me, please come.

But we never did
Each in fear of drowning
Afraid to leave the hard land
Where every step is made safe.

Once I waded in
But the water filled my eyes
As I lost sight and never touched
That far desired bank.

In the end too much time
With no embrace
finally wore me down.
I was wet and tired
From trying to swim upstream.

One day I just stopped
standing at the river's edge
And looked no more
to the far meadow
Where I first loved
my maiden by the trees.