As lovely as a girl aged twenty-two
can be—intelligent, slim, self-possessed,
and beautiful. It’s Florida; it’s new
to her, like marriage. Smiling, smartly dressed,
she poses, shaded by a palm, beside
a terra cotta jar. The honeymoon
has just begun, the cattleya fresh, the bride
still radiant. Life, though, finds her out too soon,
a willing instrument. And now the horn
of age has sounded, with a mellow tone,
yet wistfulness; her handsome heart is worn,
and on her sleeve—why not?—since she’s alone.
Time, thrifty, used her well, as she allowed;
and she gave back, by plan, by circumstance,
from mind and body both, immensely—proud
to live the meeting of intent and chance.
—Catharine Savage Brosman
We launched the First Things 2023 Year-End Campaign to keep articles like the one you just read free of charge to everyone.
Measured in dollars and cents, this doesn't make sense. But consider who is able to read First Things: pastors and priests, college students and professors, young professionals and families. Last year, we had more than three million unique readers on firstthings.com.
Informing and inspiring these people is why First Things doesn't only think in terms of dollars and cents. And it's why we urgently need your year-end support.
Will you give today?
