I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known,
and, I believe,
the best thing a girl can be in this world is a beautiful little fool.

With a simplicity of heart,
dispensing starlight to casual moths.

With the kind of voice that the ear follows up and down,
with its fluctuating, feverish warmth.
That voice was a deathless song.

Her face is lovely with bright things in it,
bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth –
her curious and lovely mouth.

Young and artificial.
Redolent of orchids and pleasant cheerfulness.
Gleaming like silver, safe and proud.

A “nice” girl.
A beautiful little fool,
excitingly desirable
with a ripe mystery about her.

And, yet,
turbulent emotions possess her.
She thinks everything is terrible;
she’s pretty cynical, you see.
But,
God, she’s sophisticated!
That beautiful little fool.