Six Years Old Today!

From the sunlight of her hair
     In the small foot’s twinkling play,
Every inch is sweet & fair
     Perfect grace from perfect sway
Of an inward music there!
          Bouyant Bessie Grey
          Six years old today.

O, the sunshine of her heart
     Fills her eye as breaking day
The June heavens; & just apart
     See, her rose-bud lips display
How the folded petals start!
          Blooming Bessie Grey
          Six years old today!

Slender birdling of the Spring,
     How we bless the growing ray
That still tempts her little wing
     Not to spread & fly away;
Sweetest of the birds that sing
          Joyous Bessie Grey
          Six years old today.