Poems (Clark)/An Old Maid

by Annie Maria Lawrence Clark

AN OLD MAID

What, I an old maid? Why, how funny!
 When 'twas only the other day
That I thought it the sweetest of pleasures
 To go in the green woods to play
With my sisters, Mary and Lucy,
 My brothers, and gay Robbie Gray.

Yes, I went to school with your mother,
 But that doesn't make me feel old;—
I can tell you a secret, my darling,
 Maybe you have never been told;—
I've been all my life catching sunbeams,—
You can't guess what a lot hearts will hold.

And they keep me so glad and contented,
 That gray hairs don't fright me one mite,—
To be called an "old maid" won't alarm me,
 Heart sunbeams make everything bright.
What, a letter? Oh, Robbie, my Robbie,
 What a blessing to see you to-night!

You didn't know Rob was my lover?
 Well, we kept our own counsel, you see;
It was best I should silently trust him
 While he was afar o'er the sea.
Will Gray says he's old and gray-headed?
 No matter, he's just right for me.