CHARLOTTE ROSE
****************
A DISTANT BELL AND CHARLOTTE ROSE
THE SCENT OF COOKING IN HER NOSE
DOWNSTAIRS, THE OTHERS, DREAMS FORSAKEN
THEY SIT AND EAT THEIR EGGS AND BACON
THERE EYES ARE SAD, THEIR FACES BARE
THEY HEAR A GIRL THAT ISN'T THERE
HER FAVOURITE DAYS WERE ALWAYS SUNDAYS
SHE THINKS AND SLIPS ON FAVOURITE UNDIES
AND FAVOURITE DRESS, ALL BLACK AND NEAT
SLIPS FAVOURITE SHOES UPON HER FEET
SHE GOES DOWNSTAIRS AND THROUGH THE DOOR
WHERE OTHERS HAVE GONE LONG BEFORE
OUT IN THE STREET SHE HEARS THE BIRDS
AS SHE REGRETS UNSPOKEN WORDS
AND BY THE CHURCH SHE HEARS THE CHOIR
THE VOICES RISING HIGHER AND HIGHER
AS BY THE GRAVE SHE FADES AWAY
BUT SHALL ARISE ANOTHER DAY