Birthday prayer

Each of my daughters has a candle that I lit as they made their way into this world. Each year, on the eve of their birthday, we light it again. Sitting beside them tucked up in bed, in the soft candlelight I tell these words:

When I have said my evening prayer,

And my clothes are folded in the chair,
And Mother switches off the light,

I'll still be nine years old tonight.
But, from the very break of day,

Before the children rise and play,

Before the greenness turns to gold,
Tomorrow, I'll be nine years old.
Nine kisses when I wake.

Nine candles on my cake!