The Lady Charlotte

By Linda A. Copp

Little Lady Charlotte
in finery of lace,
Took out a magic handkerchief,
smeared something on her face.

And walking down the crowded street,
the carriages, the men,
She paused to see on looking back,
and then turned round again.

Walked a little straighter,
smiled a harder smile,
And who'd of known the Little Miss,
was breaking all the while.

And who'd of known her carriage,
was loneliness and ache!
And that her lack of prettiness
was her last and one mistake.

By Linda A. Copp

©July 15, 1972