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
Writers Bio
I am a retired housewife and grandmother of Jacob, I have been writing poetry for quite a few years and enjoy the challenge of creating my verse especially from pictures. I live in Lisburn N Ireland we have been married for 48 years
Inspirational Image

Pieces Inspired by this Image
'The Forest of Mannequins'
by Briana Forney
'Five Kinds of Music'
by Harmony Hodges
'Forgotten'
by Sue Ertl Ertl