An Opalescent Gown

She offered me an opalescent gown of spider’s silk
An ancient woman I met on a cobblestone walkway
When I hugged her she turned to ash

I was filled with sorrow at the loss
of this woman who personified wisdom
She offered me an opalescent gown of spider’s silk

I met her on a graveyard path in my dreams
She whispered her secrets and stirred my soul
When I hugged her she turned to ash

Her body, small and frail, emanated light
in her eyes I saw what my life could hold
She offered me an opalescent gown of spider’s silk

I held it to admire how it shimmered
she took it from me and said, “You must earn it,”
When I hugged her she turned to ash

Seventy years later in the quiet of the evening
I could see her hovering near my bed
She offered me an opalescent gown of spider’s silk
When I hugged her we turned to ash