moon batchelder - Dross Preferred

once it was himself that held the key,
not now; things change.
once she was content with destiny,
not now. so strange,

once upon a time somehow has moved;
is gone, despite
that neither new arrangement has improved
upon delight.

now, once more they two live all alone.
the loss deferred;
silver drawn out of the very stone,
but dross preferred.

moon batchelder

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dross-preferred/