A strand from Time’s curl

Steal a strand from Time’s curl And see a blossom unfurl . . . Memories painful but grand Laughter on shores, castles in sand. Thought swirls, infinite whirls Touching, smiling, skipping girls. Modesty! What virtue it has Keeps away from treasure or trash. Repentance! what purpose it serves Weed out decay, grow fresh herbs. Is it a loss, is it a gain ? Numbing, gnawing, endless pain .