I asked Jaimie what she wanted on her fiftiety birthday. This is what she asked for: fifty roses.

Fifty Roses
Copyright © 2008 Bret Hesla. bret.hesla@gmail.com

1. Fifty Aprils, fifty springs
Fifty sparrows to make the backyard sing
Fifty long-stem, long-stem roses
I brought them in the morning for you.

2. Fifty summers, fifty rains
Fifty gardens upon your fertile plains
Fifty long-stem, long-stem roses,
Crowded in a five-gallon pail …

3. Fifty autumns, fifty winds
Fifty longings for what won’t come again
Fifty long-stem, long-stem roses,
One for ev’ry trip ’round the sun …

4..Fifty winters, fifty snows
Fifty saunas, where midnight friendship grows.
Fifty long-stem, long-stem roses,
Wish I’d brought you ten-thousand more …

Br: Brought them in the morning for you.
Crowded in a five-gallon pail
One for ev’ry trip ’round the sun.
Wish I’d brought you ten-thousand more.

5. Fifty Aprils, fifty springs
Fifty wond’rings of what the years will bring
Fifty long-stem, long-stem roses,
Brought them in the morning for you