Echo

There was a time, some time ago

when three you girls began to grow

becoming beauties as they did

deciding how they'd want to live

The first was always very wary

lived just past the edge of town

away from strangers, and the scary

men who'd eye her up and down

The second was a freer soul

well known for her trusting heart

she longed to let the good times roll

and always played a social part

The final girl was not persuaded

that either other girl was right

quietly she watched and waited

observing everything in sight

The first girl lived a life successful

though, alone and often stressful

around herself she built a wall

to keep her separate and secure

from the evil world and all

the terrors there that could hurt her

The second kept an unlocked door

and young men went, and young men came

she had her share, but wanted more

and no two men ever the same

but one day she awoke to find

a thief had left nothing behind

And still the final girl conspired

to watch and learn from what transpired

Now many years have passed since then

and three old women sit and talk

of life, of work, of love and men

of different roads they chose to walk

The first had ended up alone

and says "my life has felt complete"

but in her mirror lives a crone

who's never felt her hearts true beat

true love for her remains unseen

a question of what might have been

The second jumped from man to man

and later on from boy to boy

she says "enjoy it while you can

for life is fleeting, as is joy"

despite herself she wonders why

she ever felt the need to fly

Our last girl has a quiet smile

and says "my children visit me,

not all the time, but every while,

whenever they find time that's free.

I love you both, but I must say

I've learned on each and every day

how not to echo either fate,

within my wall, I built a gate."