She stands in front of her mirror <br />With bright and joyous air, <br />Smoothes out with a skilful hand <br />Her waves of golden hair; <br />But the tell-tale roses on her cheek, <br />So changing yet so bright, <br />And downcast, earnest eye betray <br />New thoughts are hers to-night. <br /> <br />Then say what is the fairy spell <br />Around her beauty thrown, <br />Lending a new and softer charm <br />To every look and tone? <br />It is the hidden consciousness -- <br />The blissful, joyous thought <br />That she, at length, hath wholly won <br />The heart she long had sought. <br /> <br />To-morrow is her bridal day, <br />That day of hopes and fears, <br />Of partings from beloved friends, <br />Of sunshine and of tears: <br />To-morrow will she say the words, <br />Those words whose import deep <br />Will fix her future lot in life -- <br />Well might she pause and weep! <br /> <br />Yet, only once, a passing cloud <br />Rests on her girlish brow, <br />Her dark eye gleameth restlessly -- <br />She's thinking of her vow. <br />But quick as light and fleecy clouds <br />Flit o'er a summer sky, <br />The shadow passeth from her brow, <br />The trouble from her eye. <br /> <br />In silvery tones she murmurs forth, <br />My heart is light and glad, <br />Youth, beauty, hope, are all mine own, <br />Then, why should I be sad? <br />To graver hearts leave graver thoughts <br />And all foreboding fears, <br />For me, life's sunshine and its flowers, -- <br />I am too young for tears!<br /><br />Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-bride-of-a-year/
