Once, she was beautiful,
adorned with lace, encircled by flowers,
standing proud in matronly white,
surrounded by children.

Now she stands alone,
weathered, weary and forgotten;
the windows of her soul
cracked and dull and dark;
her once elegant lace
now tattered and torn;
where once both laughter and tears,
there is now only silence.

And yet, she holds within her heart
the echoes of many a memory.
She has seen her charges
through times of hardship and hope;
watched over them in their sleep;
and welcomed them with open arms;
offered refuge from the storms
and comfort from the heat.

Now none pay her any notice
except perhaps a wayward traveler
briefly imagining her in her heyday,
before leaving her as he found her...

Once more forgotten and alone.


april 2002