Isn’t she beautiful?
I. The most beautiful woman in the room Queen of cut-glass chandeliers gracious armoires porcelain cups, saucers Catch a falling star sapphires and diamonds One-of-a-kind designer dresses pageant winning posture pillory straight spine Somewhere, over the rainbow cobalt blue calendar plates Early excursions — ballets and symphonies, opera, galleries dancing fairies, magician melodies A Midsummer Night’s Dream my dresses like China dolls Adoring husband bringing juice and coffee, breakfast in bed to the neighborhood’s entertainer Showboat, the Roaring ’20s backyard spectaculars Gazebo in back, behind the Victorian roses, citrus trees, trellised gardens, purple grapes I’ll be with you in apple blossom time Young at Heart singer my singing instructor harmony teacher My Kentucky Babe listening, hearing Back pain, surgery, scalpel spinal nerves knitted together jammed, crushed, crammed Bongo in the Congo trouble in the jungle Everything was perfect everything was lost home, husband, time, voice, mind Standing in the Need of Prayer Sandman steps so lightly II. In England In England I find a hat The lady moon is watching that matches my hand-made coat, from out the starry skies both of them one-of-a-kind. The little stars are peeping Leaving the shop, gaining the street, to see if you are sleeping I feel you smile. Sandman sings so softly Last kiss. Goodnight. Last kiss.
— by Lisa Sarasohn (based on conversation with Susan Elizabeth Hale)