HER hair was beautifully white <br />Beneath her bonnet, black as night, <br />Which, plainly of New England kin, <br />Was tied with strings beneath her chin. <br />And when she spoke I had no choice <br />But listened to that soft crisp voice; <br />And when she smiled, I saw the truth, <br />She had been lovely in her youth, <br />And with those quick, observing eyes, <br />Was charming still to all the wise. <br />And still, in spite of bonnet strings, <br />She thought keen, quaint, amusing things, <br />With gaiety that many hold <br />Remarkable in one so old. <br /> <br />We talked ten minutes in a train, <br />And when we came to part again, <br />Good-bye, enjoy yourself,' said she, <br />I told her that ahead of me <br />No pleasure beckoned, no, I said, <br />Stern duty only lay ahead! <br />Oh, well,' her parting answer ran, <br />Enjoy yourself the best you can.' <br />And so unconquerably gay, <br />She went upon her darkening way.<br /><br />Alice Duer Miller<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-an-old-lady-in-a-train/
