To Mary Helen - On her birthday - Feb. 8, 1998

Offering

What offering can I bring thee to celebrate this year?

For flowers surround thee with fragrance and beauty is ever near.

The torch of thy soul grows brighter with every returning day

And thy love and wisdom guide us as we tread the upward way.

In a life so filled with richness yet reaching to greater light

Thy calm and gentle radiance dissipates the night.

What gift could I hope to give thee who gives such gifts to me,

But a prayer that this sacred communion live for eternity.