...and a dozen roses be given to the girl
one for every virtue a woman shall need
for no more is she just a frivolous happy child
A woman has risen in her soul, indeed.
The little girl, I saw, I knew
whose nature and heart, so like mine, grew
A soul-sister, a twin apparition- call it what may
To that dear girl, these dozen red roses for her day.
Give her one rose for spirit and strength
She shall need it in the world, at length.
Give her another with a crimson soul at its core
For all the happiness and joys to pour.
A third rose, for faith, to preserve
to live the life that she wants and deserves.
Another one for hope to flutter,
forever a chant behind her fancies, to utter!
Give her a fifth rose to muster courage
To fight the odds, that on her barrage.
A sixth one, for milady, for simple joys
To love the trivial, to greed- destroy.
The seventh rose, for victory immense,
To march forth and bridge the distance.
Eighth of the roses for a resilient sense
To build up her cover and keep defense.
Oh to the girl, give a ninth one of red hue!
To spread her smiles to other people too.
The tenth rose for kindness and truth
For a compassionate ear and a character of depth.
Give her a eleventh for patience to take hold
To help keep vigil, as dark times unfold.
The last of the dozen roses, for love, gift my girl,
She will see it bloom as the magic shall unfurl.
