Bessie

SIX YEARS OLD TODAY

Sunniest of sunny girls,
    Merry as a dancing fay;
Laughing through her flossy curls
    Like a sunbeam through the spray
Where a melting mist unfurls,
    Bonny Bessie Grey,
    Six years old today!

Darling of the hearts of all,
    Perfect summer’s mellowest ray
To the few, whose coronel
    Is her love-bloom, every day
Opening sweets, with no Fall, –
    Tender Bessie Grey,
    Six years old today!

From the sunlight of her hair
    To the small foot’s twinkling play,
Every inch is sweet & fair,
    Perfect grace from perfect sway
Of an inward music there;
    Buoyant 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;
    Blowing 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.