Yesterday's Beauty Queen

Years have washed away the glow,
but not the dreams of yesterday,
standing tall and pretty,
holding a dozen red roses,
matching the beauty of the smile on
the overly-painted face,
wearing the regal crown and cape,
which promised the keys to the convertible,
endless trips to no-name towns
for grand openings and hours of
standing, waving and looking
absolutely gorgeous to the
curious crowds.

Yesterday's beauty queen recalls
when her flowing dark hair was
free of gray and at twenty-one
thought wrinkles were worn by
grandmothers in nursing homes;
beauty and youth ride the train
on the life-long journey to maturity,
where mirrors do not tell lies.