Ellene

Ellene has lived her life from Lent to Lent
In selfishness that she will not repent.
She spreads her passion like a gusty wind
Which recklessly tears off the tender limbs
That grow for summer shade when sharp sun rays
Are piercing on the dry and listless days.

Ellene is never hampered by the truth.
Her fabricated tales will burn like smooth
Bright yellow maple leaves or like the red
Of slender sassafras in early fall.
She does not fear the hurt her tales will cause;
It never matters; she must have applause.

After brittle winter with its show
Of sparkling light on ice, the biting snow,
The Lenten season comes. She buys a coat
Of strict respectability and wraps
It closely round her as a penitent;
Then burns the coat at midnight after Lent.