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After a brief and wonderful time we went back.
Back to the small, red school-house, all trimmed in black.
Mingled with friends, both old and new, our love grew cool.
I tried to fight, beat them back, but I was a fool
To keep what was not mine and preserve an old hope.
I found that I was nothing, no desire to cope
Flamed within my breast that ached. I was truly beaten
By a girl with brown tresses, so soft and wheaten.

Many days have I spent waiting for you to smile.
Watching you change into a woman from a child.
We walked through very many green, lovely summer fields.
Never talking, always thinking of how time steals
And saps strength of those who would dare to alter
The shape of his life, for he must always falter.
Beware! those who would desire to bring about change
For some things are far out of any man's range.

Malcotm Altman