As lovely as a girl aged twenty-two
can be—intelligent, slim, self-possessed,
and beautiful. It’s Florida; it’s new
to her, like marriage. Smiling, smartly dressed,
she poses, shaded by a palm, beside
a terra cotta jar. The honeymoon
has just begun, the cattleya fresh, the bride
still radiant. Life, though, finds her out too soon,
a willing instrument. And now the horn
of age has sounded, with a mellow tone,
yet wistfulness; her handsome heart is worn,
and on her sleeve—why not?—since she’s alone.
Time, thrifty, used her well, as she allowed;
and she gave back, by plan, by circumstance,
from mind and body both, immensely—proud
to live the meeting of intent and chance.
—Catharine Savage Brosman
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
