The Old Woman

As a white candle
In a holy place,
So is the beauty
Of an aged face.

As the spent radiance
Of the winter sun,
So is a woman
With her travail done.

Her brood gone from her,
And her thoughts as still
As the waters
Under a ruined mill.

Joseph Campbell, (1879-1944)

painting:
The Fisherman's Mother by Helen Mabel Trevor From the Appletree Press title: A Little Book of Irish Verse .
Also from Appletree: Appletree Book of Celtic Verse, A Little Book of Scottish Verse and A Little Book of English Verse .