Ballade At Thirty-Five

> This, no song of ing?©nue, This, no ballad of innocence; This, the rhyme of a lady who Followed ever the natural bents. This, a solo of sapience, This, a chantey of sophistry, This, the sum of experiments, -- I loved them until they loved me. Decked in garments of sable hue, Daubed with ashes of myriad Lents, Wearing shower bouquets of rue, Walk I ever in penitence. Oft I roam, as my heart repents, Through God's acre of memory, Marking stones, in my reverence, "I loved them until they loved me." Pictures pass me in long review,-- Marching columns of dead events. I was tender, and, often, true; Ever a prey to coincidence. Always knew I the consequence; Always saw what the end would be. We're as Nature has made us -- hence I loved them until they loved me. Princes, never I'd give offense, Won't you think of me tenderly? Here's my strength and my weakness, gents - I loved them until they loved me.