A picture of a rose.....

My Edith Holden cluster rose has been blooming so beautifully. And some words written by Louisa May Alcott to celebrate...

O flower at my window

Why blossom you so fair,

With your green and purple cup

Upturned to sun and air?

'I bloom, blithesome Bessie,

To cheer your childish heart;

The world is full of labor,

And this shall be my part.'

Whirl, busy wheel, faster,

Spin, little thread, spin;

The sun shines fair without,

And we are gay within.

O robin in the tree-top,

With sunshine on your breast,

Why brood you so patiently

Above your hidden nest?

'I brood, blithesome Bessie,

And sing my humble song,

That the world may have more music

From my little ones erelong.'

Whirl, busy wheel, faster,

Spin, little thread, spin;

The sun shines fair without,

And we are gay within.

O balmy wind of summer,

O silver-singing brook,

Why rustle through the branches?

Why shimmer in your nook?

'I flutter, blithesome Bessie,

Like a blessing far and wide;

I scatter bloom and verdue

Where'er my footsteps glide.'

Whirl, busy wheel, faster,

Spin, little thread, spin;

The sun shines fair without,

And we are gay within.

O brook and breeze and blossom,

And robin on the tree,

You make a joy of duty,

A pride of industry;

Teach me to work as blithely,

With a willing hand and heart:

The world is full of labor,

And I must do my part.

Whirl, busy wheel, faster,

Spin, little thread, spin;

The sun shines fair without,

And we are gay within.

With my journey on the All Things Alcott challenge, I am enjoying discovering new things including this poem which I read for the first time called 'The Rose Family - Song 1'.