Aline Murray Kilmer Quotes

Deborah danced, when she was two, </br> As buttercups and daffodils do; </br> Spirited, frail, naïvely bold, </br> Her hair a ruffled crest of gold.

I sing of little loves that glow </br> Like tapers shining through the rain. </br> Of little loves that break themselves </br> Like moths against the window-pane.

Here, Cyprian, is my jeweled looking-glass, </br> My final gift to bind my final vow: </br> I cannot see myself as I once was; </br> I would not see myself as I am now.

My heart shall keep the child I knew, </br> When you are really gone from me, </br> And spend its life remembering you </br> As shells remember the lost sea.

St. Brigid, please keep </br> My babies asleep!

I shall not be afraid any more, </br> Either by night or day; </br> What would it profit me to be afraid </br> With you away? </br> * * * </br> For there is only sorrow in my heart; </br> There is no room for fear. </br> But how I wish I were afraid again, </br> My dear, my dear!

There is a mirror in my room </br> Less like a mirror than a tomb, </br> There are so many ghosts that pass </br> Across the surface of the glass.

I’m sorry you are wiser, </br> I’m sorry you are taller; </br> I liked you better foolish, </br> And I liked you better smaller.

If I live till my fighting days are done </br> I must fasten my armour on my eldest son.

When people inquire I always just state: </br> "I have four nice children and hope to have eight."

For life seems only a shuddering breath, </br> A smothered, desperate cry, </br> And things have a terrible permanence </br> When people die.

Smilingly, out of my pain, </br> I have woven a little song; </br> You may take it away with you. </br> I shall not sing it again.