Sewing Girl's Diary

 

Here, am I here?
Is it fancy born of fear?
Yes, oh God save me, this is I
And not some wretch of whom I've read,
In that bright girlhood when the sky
Each night strewed stardust o'er my head
When each night meant a gala day
And all my little world was gay

Here, am I here?
Is it fancy born of fear?
Yes, oh God save me, this is I
I had not felt the touch of care
I'd heard of something called despair
But new it only by it name
How far it seemed how near it came
Yes all the bright years Hurried by
Sorrow is near and this is I

Here, am I here?
Is it fancy born of fear?
Yes, oh God save me, this is I
Is this the same girl who stood one night
There in the wide halls thrilling light
With all the costly robes a stir
That love and pride had built for her
All the bright years hurried by
Sorrow is near and this is I

Here, am I here?
Is it fancy born of fear?
Yes, oh God save me, this is I

(An excerpt from a poem by Will Carleton, a distant cousin
who lived 1845 - 1912 and is the Poet Lauriat of Michigan)