Tell Me Who You Are

What brings you joy?,
asked the maiden of the knight.
Where is your happiness?
Where is your light?
Tell me who you are.

Erasing the darkness,
Lifting your heart.
Exhilaration, delight.
The smiling glance at eternity.
What brings you joy?

The knight pondered.
He considered.
He frowned in consternation.
He looked up at the sky.

A hawk in flight, he said at last.
My steed's scent as we travel.
The aroma of roasted meat from the hunt.
A flagon of ale on a hot day.
These things give me delight.

What brings you joy? He asked of her in turn.
Tell me who you are.

The maiden looked within and said,
Happy children's laughter,
Sunshine on the abbey's wall in morning.
The scent of bluebells and lilacs,
The sight of you returning from battle.
These blossom the joy in my heart.

They sat quietly, then...
the maiden and the knight.
There was much accounting to be made.
Knowing what brings joy, will reveal.

What brings you joy?
Tell me who you are.
What brings you joy?
Who are you?

©Ellen Pepper 2026