From the book: Voices from Clark Cemetery
Ella Hyde 1857- 1898 That cad with the freckle on his forehead, That rascal man beast, Handsome as a Greek But devastatingly insecure, And so deliciously young! He was the one who stole my pride, There, behind the Hadley tombstone in the moonlight, And who, Breathlessly and with trembling hands, Unlatched the ruby red necklace From around my naked neck that night. It was he. That cad who swooped down upon my innocence, Like a maniacal Zeus In one of his crazy costumes of concupiscence, And carried me off to nights of brazen episodes, Splendid spectacles in light and magic, Of him and me embracing wildly, madly, In dreamy dances with caresses and kisses. Only the truly passionate Could understand these mad scenes in the dark! I met RS on many a night In the long concealing shadows of Central Park. He was my man, but he didn’t know it. I lived my life here in this dusty town the best I could. I believe I left my mark in some small but universal way. At least I knew when to say no to Roscoe Settle. Now I’d like to go back to my grave and sleep. I am tired of this rant about The Man Beast. At 41 I entered here after my bout with diphtheria. The trees here are my shadowy friends now. But I sometimes secretly wish I could meet RS. Just as it was in 1897, He and I kissing in the garden Gazebo at Central Park, His hand on the small of my back. Me trembling with monstrous want, My ultimate Prince. Who lied to me like a rat!
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