Elder Flowers - A Collection From the Poems of Mrs. Susan B. Elder #260716

My veil of fifty years ago; I pressed it fondly 'gainst my face, To feel the old-time rapture glow, When life was young and love was fair, And hearts knew not the touch of care. I held it up against the light, I shook it free from every fold; Its silken mesh, once pearly white, Had slowly changed to threads Of gold. Ah! Thus I mused, each grief of time In heaven will change to joy sublime. I laid it gently on my head, To fall in waves of softest gleam; Beneath its folds the loved ones dead Came round me as in pleasant dream, And he who crowned me as his bride Methought stood radiant at my side.