A Daughter's First Love

It is difficult to know at what moment love begins.
It is less difficult to know that it has begun.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(1807-1882)

I bought my girl a Valentine,
When she was only twelve.
This one was of divine design,
Not something off the shelf.

He was a little jumpy, sure;
That's how he stole her heart.
His racy manners, her allure,
I knew they'd never part.

He'd strut his stuff for her to see;
She'd sit upon the fence
And watch, as he'd cavort with glee,
With passion most intense.

He soon gave her the run-around,
To demonstrate his pride.
This handsome one, without a sound,
He took her for a ride.

One day, he dumped her in a flash,
Humility's crash course.
I answered, though it sounded brash,
"Go get back on that horse!"

She earned his love and gained his trust
In each and every gait.
And though I know, grow up she must,
He's still her favorite date.