"Future Past, Beauty Forever"

She tied her hair with pearl barrettes
And wore her silver gown;
Her shining broach was amethyst.
She seemed an angel in the crowd—
A star that’s heaven bound.

She took my arm with cashmere grace
And diamond elegance;
Her slippers came from Tripoli.
She watched the town in innocence
Without a consequence.

She wrapped a linen shawl around
Her neck and shoulders then;
For chilly air had touched her skin,
And from another northern wind
She fell upon the ground.

She fell, a feather from her youth
Where I would follow, sure
That I could comfort her;
I promised I’d retrieve a cure.
But that was not the truth.

I said this is a moment
That wouldn’t be her last;
And then I saw her eyes
Reveal my future past.

I shut her eyes to rest
And turned to curse the weather.
The town then said its best;
Her beauty was forever.

by Wm. Rieppe Moore