//------------------------------//
// Shielded Love [Poetry] [Romance] [OC] [Human] 
// Story: Fast Ponies, Faster Fingers 
// by TheDriderPony 
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They say when it comes to fishing, that there's plenty in the seas,
But no one ever thought to ask if that's true of ponies.

For when the mares outnumber, their stallions eight to three,
It makes it that much harder, to find one that is free.

I've tried my hand at reeling, a mate to quench my thirst,
but from them all I found no spark; at least, not like my first.

It's not I'm unattractive (or so the ponies say),
It's just my heart has staked its claim, and by it I must stay.

And though many come a'wooing, this human long and lean and tall,
I simply sigh and shake my head and turn away them all.

Of course I could rebait my line and cast it in the pool,
but none out there can quite compare to my beloved fool.

He may not be the smartest or the quickest of the bunch,
but when it came to kindness, his heart sure packed a punch.

We shared a lonely summer when to this land I was a stranger,
Though really he was just a guard (as nobles thought me a danger).

As weeks went by I found myself intrigued by this odd stallion,
Who somehow always stayed the line, twixt nerd and bold rapscallion.

In time he too grew fond of, my charm and quirk and wit.
(Or maybe just my foreign looks, and blocked the rest of it).

I ate his food, slept in his house, and met his little sister.
And both of us shared blushing cheeks when asked "So have you kissed her?"

And yet, despite this closeness, a romance never flowered.
Perhaps because, in all things love, I am a wretched coward.

When the royals at last declared, I did no longer guard require,
My loyal stallion reassigned: to royal palace squire.

He's married now, for several years, and I hear he has a daughter.
On quiet nights I weep and think, were she mine, what I'd have taught her.

I wonder if he thinks of me, as oft I think of him.
Or was I just another job? An amusing passing whim?

He placed a shield around my heart; now no others can hold sway.
So despite this crushing loneliness, I want the one that got away.