Life and a Lady

Life and a Lady

A little girl,
With pastel stains on her cheeks
I remember so vaguely
But she walked home that day
With a star in her hands
And chocolate milk on her mind

A little lady,
With confetti littered in her cheeks
I remember, though barely
But she walked home that day
With a medal in her hands
And the promised computer in mind

A teenage girl,
With tears on her cheeks
I remember somewhat clearly
But she walked home that day
With a toga in hand
And college in her mind

A grown-up lady,
With make-up on her cheeks
I remember lucidly
And she walked home that day
With a diploma in hand
And success in her mind

A woman,
With blush on her cheeks
I remember so vividly
And she walked home that day
With a ring in her hand
And a man in her mind

A bride,
With bloom on her cheeks
I’ll remember infinitely
Walked to a new home that day
With a hand in her hand
And eternity in her mind

A mother,
With small hands on her cheeks
I’ll remember joyfully
And she walked home that day
With a new life in her hand
And the sweetest duty in her mind

An old lady
With wrinkles on her cheeks
I remember with difficulty
Though she can’t walk home today
Without help in her hand
And the past in her mind…

And a soul,
With no flesh on her cheeks
A life to remember vaguely
No home to walk to
Without life in her hands
And yearnings on her mind.