Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO CLARE, CANDLE-WISHES, by EDWARD V. KILLEEN JR.



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO CLARE, CANDLE-WISHES, by                    
First Line: A birthday cake with tapers bright
Last Line: My candle-wish to you.
Subject(s): Aging; Birthdays; Cakes; Candles


A BIRTHDAY cake with tapers bright,
That wink like little eyes.
A tiny maid in pink and white,
A tableau of surprise.

And now to blow the candles out,
A wish for every one,
You laugh and with a merry shout
The game is well begun.

First father's candle you must blow;
It flickers, soon is still,
And daddy hopes you'll never know
The slightest care or ill.

Then mother, next, her candle brings—
With skill a mother shows—
A choice array of pretty things
Like baby frocks and clothes.

And "sister dear," let's blow and see
Her birthday wish for you;
A mighty puff and—goodness me!
You've blown my candle too.

Her prayer's a most romantic sort,
For, by the hearthside glow,
She'd have a knight to pay you court,
A Cinderella beau.

And how you try to make me tell
With all your baby guile;
The others, sweetheart, wished so well
I think I'll wait a while.

Now weary from the happy day
In mother's arms you rest,
A fairer jewel never lay
Upon her loving breast.

Two chubby hands have clasped her heart,
Entwined, until it seems
You can not bear to let her part,
Not even in your dreams.

But sleep untroubled, little miss,
For if my prayer come true,
You'll always have her tender kiss:
My candle-wish to you.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net