The Girl I Used To Be

The Girl I Used to Be
(Author Unknown)
~
She came tonight as I sat alone,
The girl I used to be.
And then gazed at me with her earnest eyes,
and questioned reproachfully:
~
"Have you forgotten the many plans
and hopes that I had for you,
the great career, the splendid fame,
all the wonderful things to do?
Where is the mansion of stately height
with it's ground and it's gardens rare?
the silken robes that I dreamed for you,
and the jewels for your hair?"
~
And as she spoke I was very sad,
for I wanted her pleased with me-
This slender girl from the shadowy past,
the girl I used to be.
~
So gently arising I took her hand,
and guided her up the stair,
where peacefully my babies lay
innocent, sweet and fair.
~
And I told her that they are my only gems.
And precious they are to me,
that my silken robe is my motherhood,
of costly simplicity.
And my mansion of stately height is love,
and the only career I know
is serving each day in it's sheltering walls,
for the dear ones who come and go.
~
And as I spoke to my shadow guest,
She smiled through her tears at me,
and I saw that the woman that I am now,
pleased the girl I that I used to be.