A Birthday

Christina Rossetti

 

My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a watered shoot: My heart is like an apple-tree Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit   My heart is like a rainbow shell That paddles in a halcyon sea; My heart is gladder than all these Because my love is come to me.   Raise me a dais of silk and down; Hang it with vair and purple dyes; Carve it in doves and pomegranates, And peacocks with a hundred eyes;   Work it in gold and silver grapes And leaves and silver fleurs-de-lys; Because the birthday of my life Is come, my love is come to me.