a diamond at thirteen
(for kao)

she's darling like a princess
and regal like a queen
in etiquette well-versed you bet
she's gracious and serene

it's been that way since she was two
it's here and now twixt me and you
i'll tell it straight i'll say it’s true
there is no doubt she's turned into
a diamond at thirteen

her joyous disposition
in wit and humour seen
you'd just adore at half past four
it's always been routine

i think it fair to say in sum
that to her charm you will succumb
'cause from the start she's been a plum
and in the present she's become
a diamond at thirteen

she walks with noble carriage
she doesn't stoop or lean
both eloquent and elegant
an ever graceful mien

i don't know where she learned these tricks
that first i saw when she was six
but grand's the future this predicts
and so i'll toss into the mix
a diamond at thirteen

she's playful and she's serious
and all that's in between
an intellect as you'd expect
both curious and keen

i'm certain now as i was then
she was all this when she was ten
and growing still in mirth and ken
i'd have to call her once again
a diamond at thirteen

unlike a perfect gemstone
some flaws may mar the sheen
but even so this much i know
her spirit is pristine

in all that’s writ i would imply
she is the apple of my eye
the star of my entire sky
forever decorated by
a diamond at thirteen

rjh
1jan2007