“Ripley in the Sunlit Hall” A Harpsichord Love Song Verse 1 In the quiet halls of morning light, where the golden sunbeams fall, Ripley walks with whispered grace— a shadow soft, a queen so small. Her tiny meow, a silver note, her footsteps soft as lace, she moves like music on the air, a minuet in sacred space. Refrain (Harpsichord flourish) Oh Ripley, fairest in the room, my baroque and midnight muse, your purrs like trembling arias, your love a tune I cannot lose. Verse 2 She curls beside the windowpane that frames the world below, Waller Street in muted steps, the drifting birds, the city’s glow. A sister to sweet Harper, twin spirits woven tight— two notes in tender harmony across the day and night. Refrain Oh Ripley, gentle sovereign, with your headbutts bold and true, your heart a quiet harpsichord that played the world anew. Bridge (slow, ornamented trills) Through sunspots warm, through midnight songs, through toy-strewn, moonlit floors, she danced her strange nocturnal waltz beyond the earthly doors. A bow tie, then sunglasses— a courtly jest, a royal game; she made the world love black cats more, and smiled through her flame. Verse 3 When illness cast its shadow on that long, unruly drive, still love held fast, still hope stayed near, still Ripley’s light survived. And in her final resting place, with Harper, Nate, and David dear, the winds were calm, the ravens sang— her last notes sweet and clear. Final Refrain Oh Ripley, midnight harpsichord, your melody remains— a love that echoes baroque and true through all our earthly strains. Forever in the sunlit hall, forever soft and free— our elegant, aloof delight, still playing in eternity.
