Hajime

TWILIGHT OF BEAUTY

In a corner of my dressing room a shrine to beauty stands,

A small workplace that the twilight of my beauty now demands.

Alabaster pots stand on my ivory table tonight,

Translucent treasures waiting in the wavering candlelight.

I gather antimony paste, henna and ebony kohl,

Then carefully measure and mix with my gold pestle and bowl.

Fragrant lotus petals are stirred together with dried rose hips

That are slowly steeped to enhance and add carmine to my lips.

Rare attar of roses, pheromones and ambergris I use,

With night blooming jasmine and myrrh, a perfume I infuse.

Precious seed pearls have been crushed to a powder so fine

To add luster to my face and obscure every line.

Each day it takes longer than it did the day before

To perform my small magic and appear young once more.

Will a time ever come when I am unable to repair

These secret ravages of age and the shadows of despair?

Copyright © 2004 - Ansalee. All rights reserved.