In Peter S. Beagle's "The Innkeeper's Song," the narrator reflects on a woman who has left a lasting impression despite the many reasons he shouldn't remember her. Her disheveled appearance, with ragged gray hair and a body marked with sweat and blood, contrasts sharply with her regal demeanor, evoking both admiration and desire.

The intensity of the narrator's feelings reveals a deep longing, as he grapples with the complexity of wanting this woman. The imagery suggests a struggle between attraction and the chaos of her reality, encapsulating the tension between admiration and the darker elements of her existence. This internal conflict highlights the profound impact she has had on him, transcending ordinary memory.