SHE SUCCUMBS

see the woman

young in age

her blossom set to burst

her suitors shove

and acts of love

are awkwardly rehearsed

the lure of life is calling her

she's drawn in by the drum

and she succumbs

see the woman

set to wed

in veil, she's standing now

and then her man

holds out his hand

articulates his vow

and when it is her time to speak

at first, she's stricken dumb

then she succumbs

see the woman

lost in life

and hardened by dissent

her mind will stray

to yesterday

and wonder where it went

the grind of life will overwhelm

but eased by wine and rum

so she succumbs

see the woman

in old age

now one instead of two

the long parade

that she has made

it seems is finally through

the edge of life is now in sight

she tallies up the sum

and she succumbs