Summary: Love comes unexpectedly to Hoss Cartwright, leaving a bittersweet memory. A poem inspired by “The Newcomers” (Season One) written by Thomas Thompson. (Written for the World Poetry Day 2018 Challenge)
Rating: G (550 words)
LOVE FOR A MOMENT
He did not own the kind of face
That turned the heads of the fairer race;
Unlike his brothers, he lacked the grace
To charm society.
He was smitten with a lady grand,
But dared not hope to win her hand;
She dismissed him as a brutish man,
With thoughtless vanity.
Like mountain meadows’ morning dew,
Or alpine waters clear and blue,
His love for her was pure and true,
Esteeming her more worthy.
He sought her good devotedly
And Heaven gave her eyes to see
What she had missed before when she
Regarded him so blindly.
He talked of a place with goldback ferns,
Where dogwoods bloomed, and her heart was turned
To a love for which she’d always yearned,
But it was not to be.
They parted at the wagon train
With a tender lie to ease his pain;
She knew she’d never come again.
Alas, poor Emily.
Love for a moment, incomplete,
Leaves a memory bittersweet;
‘Mid stardust blossoms they will meet
In Spring’s eternity.
A MESSAGE FROM EMILY
My dearest Hoss,
I have wanted to write to you so many times, and whether it was my better nature or my vanity that prevailed against it, I cannot say. But I knew you would insist on coming to me, and that I could not bear.
By now you know the truth, and I pray you have forgiven me. My lie was an attempt to spare us both in our last moment together, to keep what was between us intact. Perhaps I did it more for myself, because I was desperate to hold the memory of your face, your eyes full of love and devotion. And I have done exactly that, for there has been no day since that you have not been here with me, and it has given me comfort and peace knowing I had found something so good and pure in my lifetime. Love for a moment is still love, and yours was a gift I did not deserve, one for which I am and will be eternally grateful.
When you read this, I will be gone from this world but not, I hope, from your heart. I hope to retain a small part of it even when you love another, for I know you will; indeed, you must. When the time is right, I’m sure your heart will know.
I have always believed in Heaven, though I never gave much thought to what it might look like. Lately I’ve been imagining it as a canyon filled with gold-back ferns and dogwood blooms, for I’ve seen a glimpse of it through your eyes. It is beautiful, and so are you, my dearest Hoss. Never forget that.
Always,
Emily
Hoss carefully folded the letter along the gently worn creases and returned it to his pocket. With his back pressed against the rough bark of a dogwood tree, he gazed at the canopy of blossoms above his head and smiled. Spring had returned to the canyon, and Emily was there. She would always be there.
END
Tags: ESH, Grief, Hoss Cartwright
Merveilleux poème et Hoss avec un si grand cœur. Amour trop court, tout le monde savait . . .
Merci, Monika. 🙂
Wonderful tribute to Hoss!
Thank you, BWF. 🙂
A beautiful,tender,sweet poem. I always thought Hoss and Emily would have been good together.
I agree, Jojay. It’s a shame those two didn’t have more than just a moment. Thanks for reading! 🙂
So beautifully structured and expressed, poetry that moves the heart.
Thank you for the lovely compliment, Puchi. 🙂
Such a lovely poem, It was such a sad story. Poor Hoss one had to feel sorry for him, and of course Emily. I love your poetry as much as you stories.
You’re always so kind, Chris. Thank you for reading. 🙂
“The Newcomers” left me in tears when I first watched it…your poem had the same effect. And you had a masterful use of other poetic devices like alliteration. Wow. I love your poetry almost as much as your stories.
I think this episode is often overlooked, and that’s one of the reasons I chose it. Emily may have been physically weak but she had such strength of character and courage. I suppose it’s no secret that I love poetry, and I’m glad this one resonated with you, sandspur. Thanks so much for leaving your compliments. 🙂
The flow of poetry extends the beauty of their love. I loved how Hoss didn’t give up on Emily despite how she first treated him. Theirs was a match true to the heart.
Thank you, Robin. To me, theirs was a love story worthy of poetry. Especially the way Hoss described the canyon to her — “the ferns that you press on the back of your hand, and the gold comes off just like it was stardust from the sky.” What a beautiful picture. I couldn’t let that go by. 🙂
A lovely, poignant tribute to Hoss’ ability to love against all odds.
This was such a sad episode, especially seeing how happy Hoss was when he came home to tell his family he was getting married, and the look on his brothers’ faces, knowing how short lived that happiness would be when he found out the truth. Hoss deserved so much more. Thanks for commenting, Q. 🙂
What a great sentiment, Hart — being able to love against all odds! How true of Hoss. Thanks so much for reading and leaving your thoughts. 🙂
I wish the writers had given Hoss more than just a fleeting chance at happiness. This was a perfect accompaniment to the episode.
Poor Hoss — what a case of awful timing. Then again, it really seemed to happen to him (to all of them really) in spades….
Very nicely done, thx for writing!
I suppose the writers couldn’t afford to give them long term happiness. I mean, where’s the drama in that? Thanks for your comments, PSW. 🙂
Truely wonderful poem. So sad Emily and Hoss could not reach true happiness.
Yes, it’s a sad story, but love for a moment is still love — something to remember and cherish. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem, Lisa. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Aww! Such a sweet poem. The Newcomers is a favourite episode of mine and I personally think that Emily was one of the best fits as a romantic partner for Hoss. WTG, JC!
I loved Emily and agree she would have been a wonderful partner for Hoss, with her quiet beauty and gentle ways. I can imagine him going back to the canyon in the springtime, sitting among the dogwoods, thinking of her… thanks, Annie K. 🙂
Poor Hoss and Emily, they would have been a fine couple. Thank you JC for this lovely poem.
I agree with you, Annie. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. 🙂