Poetry in motion

Brandon has been at the Rowlington household for about three days now. The latest Whistledown article crumpled up on the floor of the library. The words written had angered him and he didn't want them near him.

"Did she write something that infuriating?" A weak voice asked from the doorway. Brandon's head shot up as he took in Josephine's pale figure. He stood up quickly, chair falling behind him as he rushed to her, picking her up in a hug. She felt thinner then before but he relaxed as her arms clung to him as well. Her face pressed into his shoulder.

"Her words need not to concern you. When did you wake?" He asked as he kept her in his arms. "A hour or so, my darling maid would not let me leave but I slipped away." She leaned into him as he lead her towards the table he was sitting in.

She looked over and saw the book he was reading, the black leather bound pocket sized book with ink scribbles in it. "Are you enjoying your reading?" She inquired as she looked towards him. She sat down beside him as she looked at the page he was on.

"I am." He said with a nod of his head as he turned his gaze back towards the book then back at her. "Read to me." Josephine spoke with a smile as she laid her head down on the desk, looking at him with soft eyes.

Brandon looked towards her a bit stunned at her request, but looking into her eyes and seeing the softness of the woman he was unsure that he would see awake again, how could be deny her such a simple request?

"The little white flower stood boldly in the field
The war around it raging, the petals feeling tattered in the harsh blasts that sounded.
The burning, the smoke, the heat, the unwelcome  touch
The footsteps of men all around it pounded.
It stood bold and strong, petals of snow.
Those petals vanished long ago.
Red splattered across its face, the tarnish of beauty and grace.
The white petals once red, now marked by those of the dead.
The poppy red and sleep inducing was not always like this,
Once upon a time it was a pure as girls first kiss."  He read the poem as if he was reciting politics he read in the paper, then turning a soft smile towrads her he spoke. Seeing the look in her eyes, he felt as if he messed up.  "My apologies, poetry is not my strong suit." He said with a soft chuckle.  

"I can help you...if you would like? Poetry is supposed to be emotional and compelling, you seem to be reading it like a military code you have until dawn to decipher. " Josephine offered as she looked at him. "You read it as you would a song or a letter from the one you love. You find the rhythm of how it makes your heart beat and read it to that."

"I am not poet like you are. Even in the way you speak you are a poet." Brandon said before moving his chair a bit closer to her. "But I would greatly appreciate the help." He listened to her read the first line with a soft of conviction in her,  a deep love and appreciation for the art form clear in how she spoke.

"Now you read." Josephine passed the booklet back to him, his mind momentarily else where as he thought to how mere weeks ago she would rather have had nothing to do with him now he sat by her side in the library, reading poetry when even her family doenst know she has awakened.

Pulling his thoughts away from her and back to the pages he started reading the poetry, his voice slowly finding the rhythm she has described but it still wasn't as precise as her way was, showing the deep admiration and love for poetry she had.

His mind worked hard to decipher what it said and find the meaning behind the cleverly strung words. "I believe it means that innocent was stripped from someone...it was harsh and awful but it shows that the poppy, though it's nothing as it was before, that it's still so strong and standing."

He looked towards her to see the smile that was on her face at his words, that's when it stuck that this poem, these words meant so much to her. Brandon wanted to read it untile these words were seared onto his heart, able to recite it in his sleep and quote the scripture whenever she wished him to.

"That is a very good meaning you found, I suppose I should find my brothers before they find I'm no longer in bed." Josephine chuckled softly as she stood up, Brandon following suit, his arms out ready to catch her in case she was to fall.

"I am assuming I shall see you for dinner." She said as she looked towards him. Brandon nodding his head. "That you will." He couldn't help but smile at her before letting her walk slowly towards the door.

"Then I shall see you then," She paused to look over her shoulder, offering him a soft smile. "Brandy."

It's a short but I'm just happy to have something out