They called her crazy (many may recall).
She sang love songs, sashayed through the halls.
Heavens, how should I your true love know indeed
If we are crazy when our minds are freed.
Not all can bear the shieldmaiden’s burden –
Wielding sword ‘gainst shield in a field of men.
If only ’twere only swords that could wound
Perhaps poor Ophelia would be less doomed?
Lass’s crime? Loyalty to un-deserved,
Men who hurt her and to her under-served.
He is dead and gone, and yet she is sad.
But oh, poor Ophelia, the girl’s gone mad.
Not all can bear the shieldmaiden’s burden –
Shield wall strong when the fight wants her to bend.
If only the only fight was in front,
Perhaps poor Ophelia could bear the brunt?
How can she know strength (let alone her mind)
This picture of frailty for womankind.
A maid she once was, but ne’er more will be.
Many you know that’s all many will see.
Not all can bear the shieldmaiden’s burden –
Missiles like whistles and arrows flyin’
If only the only mark was weakness,
Perhaps poor Ophelia could have beat this?
He emptied her with pretty, well-meant words –
Sweet double blessings now a double curse.
Her garden stands empty, of hope bereft.
Misplaced trust, broken vows are all that’s left.
Not all can bear the shieldmaiden’s burden –
Protecting her own with heart wide open.
If only her lonely heart had a seal,
Perhaps poor Ophelia just wouldn’t feel.
She gave them her ear, and they took her voice.
She listened well, and not always by choice.
If he’d told her once, then they’d told her twice:
“Being a woman, it comes at a price.”
Not all can bear the shieldmaiden’s burden –
Standing alone when the fight will not win.
If only she’d only had just one friend,
Perhaps poor Ophelia’d be on the mend?
Alas, of Hel’s apple she’s now eaten,
Body broken, and spirit quite beaten.
Sometimes some man’s sister, now no man’s queen –
Woe is she to have seen what she had seen.
Not all can bear poor Ophelia’s burden –
Scorned by lover and family (the true sin).
If only she only just had to be…
Poor Ophelia – adieu, remember she.