A BIRTHDAY SONNET Prologue From distant land of latex tin and Palm With questing spirit 'cross the world she came And met with one resigned to settled calm Then turned my life to never be the same Sonnet My love's not passive, shy and free of strife Nor are her eyes soft deep and limpid pools No, in those orbs there burns the fire of life Of value more than any precious jewels No perfect features hers as of a dream Nor model's swaying steps along chalk line With youthful body and a fresh faced mien She walks with purpose and arrives on time Soft words are not her currency of choice No Mary she to wash my feet with tears Sharp wit and humour exercise her voice And fed my soul and body throughout the years Though thorny words may cause my ears to smart Above it all she always has my heart