Poems (Barker)/To Grandma on her 71st Birthday

by Alice J. Green Barker

On Her 71st Birthday.

Bless you! bless you! Grandma dear—
Can it be, another year,
O'er that gentle silvered head,
Has so quickly, kindly sped,
Leaving us your loving face,
And your tender, sweet embrace?

Precious Grandma—truest friend;
Heaven all her blessings send,
All the earth with verdure bright,
Grow more beauteous for your sight;
May our hearts their faith still prove
By our offices of love.

Dearest Grandma, in your face,
Read we all your truth and grace;
See a heart so true and kind,
And a spirit pure, refined;
And a life whose setting sun
Will receive the glad "well done."

Patient ever, while your faith
Looks beyond the vale of death;
Sees no sorrow, feels no fear,
Know that angels hover near—
Almost touch the fluttering wing,
Almost hear the songs they sing.

Grateful are our hearts to-day,
As the moments glide away,
That the swiftly fleeting year,
Darling Grandma leaves you here;
May the next as kindly shed
Sunshine 'round your silvered head.