Moonlit Chateau

by RC DeWinter

Canvas Print

$100

Framed Print

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Art Print

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Poster

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Metal Print

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Acrylic Print

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Wood Print

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Throw Pillow

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Fleece Blanket

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Duvet Cover

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Shower Curtain

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Bath Towel

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Tote Bag

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Weekender Tote Bag

$49

Zip Pouch

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Portable Battery Charger

$50

Yoga Mat

$65

Greeting Card

$7.95

Spiral Notebook

$15

Sticker

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iPhone Case

$27

Beach Towel

$40

Round Beach Towel

$75

Weekender Tote Bag

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Coffee Mug

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Men's Clothing

$30

Women's Clothing

$30

Youth Clothing

$26

Toddler Clothing

$24

Baby Clothing

$28

Title

Moonlit Chateau

Artist

RC DeWinter

Medium

Painting - Digital Oils

Description

Copyright 2015 RC deWinter ~ All Rights Reserved

The Third Wife's Tale

Surrounded by every luxury but none of it mine,
I live, a prisoner, high on a hill.
Taken a virgin when scarce fifteen
by a man willing to part with enough gold
to save my father from debt and disgrace,
I have spent my life since a hostage to his fortune.
He travels, my husband - who is a great lord,
respected and feared if not loved by all -
here and there and I know not where,
and keeps me, a pampered nightingale,
in this great stone cage
surrounded by nothing but the ocean
and the green grass blowing.
Why he married me,
this widower twice over with a beard so black
it shines blue in the sun,
I do not know,
for we have no company
and in the three years since buying me -
for that is what he did -
he has never unsealed my maidenhead.
But I cannot complain of being uncomfortable,
only lonely,
for I have jewels and beautiful clothes
and this well-appointed chateau
full of treasures and curiosities
my husband has collected during his travels.
He has a penchant for arranging things just so.
There is a library full of books, naturally enough,
but then there are other rooms:
one contains nothing but jewellery
and chests full of unset stones,
another bolts of cloth -
yards of gleaming silks, satins and the like,
yet another the most marvellous paintings,
pottery and sculpture,
and of course another for his collection
of armor, swords, muskets and various mementos
of his many martial engagements.
Room after room in corridor after corridor
on floor after floor,
all crammed full of the spoils of a lifetime of acquisition,
and each one locked with its own special key.
I am left with these keys whenever my husband is away,
which, I believe I have mentioned, is quite often.
There is only one room I have never explored;
it is what my husband calls the little cabinet,
right down here on the ground floor
at the end of hallway that gives out
onto a small bridge over the far end of the moat.
He has impressed upon me most firmly
that I am never to enter it,
although beyond saying
it would be the worse for me if I did I have no idea why.
The key to that room is much smaller than the others,
as is the doorway,
and when I can think of nothing better to do
I sit and imagine what might be in there:
a mountain of gold coins, perhaps,
or holy relics too delicate to bear much handling,
or...I don't know...
Perhaps I shall just take the little key
and open the little door...
Goodness, but this lock is stubborn for all it is so small!
Oh husband, is that you? I didn't hear you return.
Mon Dieu!
Whatever are you doing with your sword?
~ copyright 2015 RC deWinter

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Thanks to the group hosts for their encouragement and support.

house, stone, architecture, exterior, windows, night, sky, moon, full moon, clouds, stars, skyscape, tree, spring, landscape, arches, vintage, atmospheric, moonlight, perspective, wall art, rc dewinter, dewinter