With Painted Words

Once Was Beautiful

by Agnes Clarke

Once long ago with head held high she sat as on her throne

Her graceful neck bedecked in lace white as feathers on a swan

On the porch swing in velvet gown her perfume filled the air

While at her feet young men would sit and gaze at such beauty fair

Suitors had she oh one two three in those balmy days all summer long

Fluttering eyelids and soft laughter hid a heart full of love so strong

 

A farmhand from a lowly home he never looked her way

Working the fields with calloused hands from dawn till dusk each day

No hope she knew of love from him a servant trusted free

But on her knees at night in prayer an answer she would plea

And like a humming - bird sweet nectar she would seek

With guile and cunning a chore would find to sweep him off his feet

 

Those memories resound within her mind and thoughts turn into stone

For like a broken china doll in pieces she sits alone

That bird whose wings would flutter no nectar now can claim

And wrapped within her velvet stole she never took his name

Riches and parties were game and fun that ruled her head not heart

The one who placed the ring that day had promised never to part

 

Now sadness fills those once lively eyes for love he could not show

Those golden tresses now turned to grey are tossed without their glow

The face that once was beautiful is broken for all to see

With tear stained cheeks and downcast eyes her world no more may be

Like a hermit she sits in dust and grime with depression a friend so cold

While what if troubles her tortured mind and regret sits on shoulders old

 

Once Was Beautiful

 

Once long ago with head held high she sat as on her throne

Her graceful neck bedecked in lace white as feathers on a swan

On the porch swing in velvet gown her perfume filled the air

While at her feet young men would sit and gaze at such beauty fair

Suitors had she oh one two three in those balmy days all summer long

Fluttering eyelids and soft laughter hid a heart full of love so strong

 

A farmhand from a lowly home he never looked her way

Working the fields with calloused hands from dawn till dusk each day

No hope she knew of love from him a servant trusted free

But on her knees at night in prayer an answer she would plea

And like a humming - bird sweet nectar she would seek

With guile and cunning a chore would find to sweep him off his feet

 

Those memories resound within her mind and thoughts turn into stone

For like a broken china doll in pieces she sits alone

That bird whose wings would flutter no nectar now can claim

And wrapped within her velvet stole she never took his name

Riches and parties were game and fun that ruled her head not heart

The one who placed the ring that day had promised never to part

 

Now sadness fills those once lively eyes for love he could not show

Those golden tresses now turned to grey are tossed without their glow

The face that once was beautiful is broken for all to see

With tear stained cheeks and downcast eyes her world no more may be

Like a hermit she sits in dust and grime with depression a friend so cold

While what if troubles her tortured mind and regret sits on shoulders old

 

Once Was Beautiful

 

Once long ago with head held high she sat as on her throne

Her graceful neck bedecked in lace white as feathers on a swan

On the porch swing in velvet gown her perfume filled the air

While at her feet young men would sit and gaze at such beauty fair

Suitors had she oh one two three in those balmy days all summer long

Fluttering eyelids and soft laughter hid a heart full of love so strong

 

A farmhand from a lowly home he never looked her way

Working the fields with calloused hands from dawn till dusk each day

No hope she knew of love from him a servant trusted free

But on her knees at night in prayer an answer she would plea

And like a humming - bird sweet nectar she would seek

With guile and cunning a chore would find to sweep him off his feet

 

Those memories resound within her mind and thoughts turn into stone

For like a broken china doll in pieces she sits alone

That bird whose wings would flutter no nectar now can claim

And wrapped within her velvet stole she never took his name

Riches and parties were game and fun that ruled her head not heart

The one who placed the ring that day had promised never to part

 

Now sadness fills those once lively eyes for love he could not show

Those golden tresses now turned to grey are tossed without their glow

The face that once was beautiful is broken for all to see

With tear stained cheeks and downcast eyes her world no more may be

Like a hermit she sits in dust and grime with depression a friend so cold

While what if troubles her tortured mind and regret sits on shoulders old

 

Once Was Beautiful

 

Once long ago with head held high she sat as on her throne

Her graceful neck bedecked in lace white as feathers on a swan

On the porch swing in velvet gown her perfume filled the air

While at her feet young men would sit and gaze at such beauty fair

Suitors had she oh one two three in those balmy days all summer long

Fluttering eyelids and soft laughter hid a heart full of love so strong

 

A farmhand from a lowly home he never looked her way

Working the fields with calloused hands from dawn till dusk each day

No hope she knew of love from him a servant trusted free

But on her knees at night in prayer an answer she would plea

And like a humming - bird sweet nectar she would seek

With guile and cunning a chore would find to sweep him off his feet

 

Those memories resound within her mind and thoughts turn into stone

For like a broken china doll in pieces she sits alone

That bird whose wings would flutter no nectar now can claim

And wrapped within her velvet stole she never took his name

Riches and parties were game and fun that ruled her head not heart

The one who placed the ring that day had promised never to part

 

Now sadness fills those once lively eyes for love he could not show

Those golden tresses now turned to grey are tossed without their glow

The face that once was beautiful is broken for all to see

With tear stained cheeks and downcast eyes her world no more may be

Like a hermit she sits in dust and grime with depression a friend so cold

While what if troubles her tortured mind and regret sits on shoulders old