The Brand-New Testament (on her birthday)

Ah Lord, thou art clever enough to be
Free from those sins for which we blame beauties.

O Dolly, what shalt I call thee
An angel from the skies or a mermaid from the seas
And now though ye burneth hearts and bloweth candles
Though ye act unaware to all my muted calls,
Though ye kill us and relish the days ye were born,
I, though forlorn, hope ye live happy and long
(Long, long enough to sing my crazy, old songs
To thy crazy great-grandsons!)

But girl, ye listen to this last thing I say
If ever a lily were to bloom from where I decay
Accept it as our child- our latent love's unborn offspring
Adorn your little girl's hair with it and see what happiness it brings.

O Lord forgive her, for she knows not
What ye hath made her do
Amen.