When I Was Most Beautiful

When I was most beautiful,
Cities were falling
And from unexpected places
Blue sky was seen.
When I was most beautiful,
People around me were killed.
And for paint and powder
I lost the chance.
When I was most beautiful,
Nobody gave me kind gifts,
Men knew only how to salute
And went away.
When I was most beautiful,
My country lost the war.
I paraded the main street
With my blouse sleeves rolled high!
When I was most beautiful,
Jazz overflowed the radio,
I broke the prohibition against smoking
Sweet music of another land!
When I was most beautiful,
I was most unhappy,
I was quite absurd,
I was quite lonely.