She Walks in Beauty
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that 's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
~Lord Byron
This week, my grandmother is ending her battle with kidney failure and old age in general and is getting ready to head home beyond this world where my grandfather and her Savior has been waiting for her.
And its time. She is tired, her body has given out, and she is at peace with going. And yet, I look at her and her life and her sweet personality and the memories we've had with her through the years and I'm saddened. Not hopeless, but saddened.
Because when we lose bright stars like her, the world becomes just a bit more gray.
Oh Christa, I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteThe picture, the poem, and your tribute are all remarkable.
Ralph