Posted on Wednesday, 18 July 2001
In this time where words carelessly led
Can sunder a world of hearts easily bled
In minute carelessness of mean thoughts
Which none of wise should have ever sought,
That echoes of light-hearted whispers from eras before
Forever drifting to and fro from foreign shores
Woven by a lady of insurmountable wit and clever of eye
Should and have done so much to soothe like lullaby.
A pledge bracelet of love and unbidden hopes
Between gentlemen and ladies of quiet note
Of letters both wisely and so foolishly written
Let free of thoughts and desires unbidden.
In this age of machine and towering edifices
Whose lofty goals often make our souls' sacrifices
Seem like children's opera, a gay triviality
With no real worth and treated with less formality.
But her words of loves and kind whispers
Of satin and muslin and dancing slippers
Which many a wise scholar claim are useless
Should so make us all laugh and wonder aimless.
And why can this not be thus, that heart's desires
Be unwrapped, unfettered and unchained and admired?
So, on this sad occasion of the passing of Lady Austen
Let us read her stories and praise words never forgotten.