Sunday, April 26, 2009

"Blueberry Girl" by Neil Gaiman

This is the poem from Neil Gaiman's children's book. Between the poem and the illustrations, this book is beautifully feminine, and I love the message, the wish that a mother has for her daughter.

Ladies of light
and Ladies of darkness
and Ladies of never you mind
This is a prayer for a blueberry girl
First may you Ladies be kind
Keep her from spindles and sleeps at sixteen
Let her stay waking and wise
Nightmares at three or bad husbands at thirty
These will not trouble her eyes
Dull days at forty
False friends at fifteen
Let her have brave days and truth
Let her go places that we've never been
Trust and delight in her youth
Ladies of grace and Ladies of favor
And Ladies of merciful night
This is a prayer for a blueberry girl
Grant her your clearness of sight
Words can be worrisome
People complex
Motives and manners unclear
Grant her the wisdom to chose her path right
Free from unkindess and fear
Let her tell stories
And dance in the ring
Somersaults tumble and run
Her joys must be high
as her sorrows are deep
Let her grow like a weed in the sun
Ladies of paradox
Ladies of measure
Ladies of shadows that fall
This is a prayer for a blueberry girl
Words written clear on a wall
Help her to help herself
Help her to stand
Help her to lose and to find
Teach her we're only as big as our dreams
Show her that fortune is blind
Truth is a thing she must find for herself
Precious and rare as a pearl
Give her all these and a little bit more
Gifts for a blueberry girl

3 comments:

Kat said...

let her grow like a weed in the sun! <3<3<3

HERSTORY said...

You really need to see the pictures that go along with this!

The Broad Set Writing Collective said...

i agree! we need to pictures. i love the book and i love the poem and i love the illustrations.