The Girl That I Used To Be

She came tonight as I sat alone,

The girl that I used to be.

She gazed at me with her earnest eyes

And questioned me reproachfully.

"Have you forgotten the many plans,

The hopes that were held for you;

The great career, the splendid fame,

And the wonderful things to do?"

"Where is your mansion of stately height,

With its gardens surpassing fair?

The silken robe that was planned for you

And the jewels for your hair?"

And as she talked, I was very sad 

For I wanted her pleased with me,

This slender girl from the shadowy past,

The girl that I used to be.

The gently arising I took her hand 

And guided her up the stair,

Where peacefully sleeping my babies lay,

Innocent, sweet, and fair.

I told her that they were my only gems,

And precious they are to me;

That my silken robe is motherhood

Of happy simplicity.

That my mansion of stately height is love,

And the only career I know

Is serving each day within sheltering walls

The dear ones who need me so.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,

She smiled through her tears at me,

For I saw that the woman that I am now

Pleased the girl that I used to be.

© Rowena K. Lewis

(It is a true story of her life in southwest Louisiana)

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