let me tell you now
that you were beautiful yesterday
and if he did not love you even
for that one moment he was a fool
he may not love you always but
for those few minutes
we all loved you unerringly.

you were still yourself
with quiet eyes and still voice,
but your song was graceful
and you stood well in the light
remember how it pooled at your feet
and how you looked as though
with eyes closed you would be
flying above us all
we were all so delighted for you

so let me tell you now
in case later you are tempted to forget
yourself in view of his shadow
that you were beyond comparison.
i hope that your heart does not break
it would not alter the image of your beauty
but it may scar the memory.