born yesterday-

tightly folded bud, 

i have wished you something

none of the usual stuff

about being beautiful 

or running off a spring

of innocence and love

they will all wish you that

and should it prove possible 

well you are a lucky girl. 

but if it shouldn't, then

'may you be ordinary; 

have like other women, 

an average of talents:

not ugly, not good looking

nothing uncustomary 

to pull you off your balance,

that, unworkable itself,

stops all the rest from working.

in fact, may you be dull

if that is what a skilled, 

vigilant, flexible,

unemphasised, enthralled

catching of happiness is called.

{20 January 1954 TLD}