Sense and Love

In Austen's tale, A story unfolds, where hearts collide.
Marianne Dashwood, with passion aflame,
Captivating hearts, bearing a fiery name.

Colonel Brandon, with wisdom and grace,
A man of substance, with care etched on his face,
He saw in Marianne a soul unrestrained,
Yet she deemed him old and boring with a 18 year age gap and her interest waned.

Oh, Marianne, blinded by shallow desire,
To beauty's facade, your heart did aspire.
For though Brandon lacked youth, his love ran deep,
A love that would cherish and gently keep.
He cared for her like no other.
He wished truly nothing but the best even if that happiness be found in another.

But charmed by Willoughby, a man so young,
Marianne's heart to him gravely clung.
Amor rejectus!
Brandon could see from a far this man was a rogue.
Yet he could no nothing but let her will play out.
A user of hearts, Willoughby led her astray,
Breaking her trust in the cruelest of ways.

And as her dreams crumbled and fell apart,
Marianne learned the truth, a bitter impart.
For beauty fades like flowers in the sun,
Yet true love endures when all else is done.

Colonel Brandon, a beacon of grace,
Stood by her side, despite her disgrace.
He cared for her wounds, her broken heart,
His love never faltered, right from the start.

In Marianne's eyes, the truth did dawn,
That love, not looks, is what truly shone.
For beauty may captivate, but love sustains,
Through joys and sorrows, endless hurricanes.

So let this tale remind, with fervent plea,
That superficial love is not meant to be.
For looks are fleeting, like waves on the shore,
But true love's essence endures evermore.