Poems (White)/Tam's Party
TAM'S PARTY
I know a little boy so free—His birthday came, and he was three.
Then baby boys and girls, With straight hair and with curls, All dressed in very best,—A birthday party guest. The little girls in white With ribbon sashes bright, The boys in suit and belt The girls their equal felt. They came in one by one Just after mid-day sun. Each had a little gift: A birthday party with Out gifts is not the thing; 'Tis custom thus to bring, They say; one must not go Unless a present show. So Tarn had ball and top, Books, candy and what not. He felt quite proud that day, And all were very gay. The cake was large and white; Tarn's name was pink and bright; Three candles stood up straight On top, each in a plate, And way up over head A rabbit; goodies spread Below; at every place, To decorate and grace, By ribbons from her nest Held rabbits for each guest; And eggs of every shade The table gaily made; Large cakes tied with a bow, For cream, in color show.
They had an Easter hunt, In grass right in the front. The two who found the most Eggs; prizes they would boast. All were so glad and free And merry as could be; A brighter day for them I think scarce could have been. And somehow as I look, Into my brain I took A notion: that may be If angels thus could see This happy baby day, That all that they would say Would be, that in this way We learn to love and pray; For happiness is best For youth. As for the rest Of life, a childhood passed In love and joy and grass Is time and labor spent Of which you'll not repent. For one can never know What after-life will show. But this you rest content, That in a youth well spent Prepares the child to grow, And easily to flow Into a youth and man That can all waters span.