Catalogs, Chagall and Kirs by the Sea
An elegy for our Mrs. Broderick, on the one-year anniversary
An unbroken road, abruptly broken by the news
So long-unseen, a long-cherished soul
Time passages, lessons and influences from an inimitable muse
Suddenly saddened and sorrowful, our duty shines now, to commemorate her role
Elegance, etiquette, empirically She of Grace
Expectations and principles, higher than her Christian Dior crown.
The Unsinkable Sharon Lee B., firm, fierce, yet gentle of face
Schooled us she did, our Hyacinth, in her serious, low voice:
M’ dears, “to Champagne” is a verb, not simply a proper-noun.
Holding court now: Fatty Boy, Dr. B, Jackie O, the Moms, Maria Montessori, Chagall et al, and, lest we forget, all her beloved dolls.
Rest in peace, in beauty, in luxury.
Break bread with Chagall, chat with Mama Maria, design and consult your new home-and-wardrobe with Jackie.
"Who cares about the politics? Let's talk about the clothes!", our savvy, stylish Sharon.
Mountains of the analog catalog, Dior, Nordstrom and "our lovely UPS man" stand by; shop as you will.
Laura Ashley, Ralph Lauren, Boston Proper, Spiegel, even Kaufman Furs, et cetera, all await your giddy orders.
Furs, furs, so many furs! Forts made of furs, waterfalls of fur:
"Always bring two furs, m’ dear: one for wearin' and one for draggin'. The best stoles have their little claws still attached, Madame Devore."
May we three - you, your "red-ribbon-haired Kathleen" and Moi, your forever-"Madame Devore" - arrange to meet again, someday on a Saturday, for our tradition of ocean-view high-tea, chocolates, "little gifties" in delicate, silk pouches, and Kir Royales at our table, at "our little Ritz-Carlton".
Sip a split, our sweet Sharon, and enjoy the Heavenly view, knowing how très beaucoup, we all love and proudly "stood with" you.
Oh, all the comrades that e'er I had
They're sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They'd wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be with you all
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
- from “The Parting Glass” by The Dubliners