The ladies bow, and partners set, <br />And turn around and pirouette <br />And trip the Lancers. <br /> <br />But no one seeks my ample chair, <br />Or asks me with persuasive air <br />To join the dancers. <br /> <br />They greet me, as I sit alone <br />Upon my solitary throne, <br />And pass politely. <br /> <br />Yet mine could keep the measured beat, <br />As surely as the youngest feet, <br />And tread as lightly. <br /> <br />No other maiden had my skill <br />In our old homestead on the hill - <br />That merry May-time <br /> <br />When Allan closed the flagging ball, <br />And danced with me before them all, <br />Until the day-time. <br /> <br />Again I laugh, and step alone, <br />And curtsey low as on my own <br />His strong hand closes. <br /> <br />But Allan now seeks staid delight, <br />His son there, brought my niece to-night <br />These early roses. <br /> <br />Time orders well, we have our Spring, <br />Our songs, and may-flower gathering, <br />Our love and laughter. <br /> <br />And children chatter all the while, <br />And leap the brook and climb the stile <br />And follow after. <br /> <br />And yet - the step of Allan's son, <br />Is not as light as was the one <br />That went before it. <br /> <br />And that old lace, I think, falls down <br />Less softly on Priscella's gown <br />Than when I wore it.<br /><br />Dollie Radford<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/soliloquy-of-a-maiden-aunt/
