Twelve Minus One

A young boy and girl on an island did live
They were young, but had so much love to give
He asked for her hand in marriage from her dad
Her dad said, she is much too young my lad
The boy told her dad, make her mine I will
They waited until night and climbed over the hill
A boat to the mainland they had to take
They must be on their way before daybreak
They arrived at the mainland while it was still dark
Eight-teen miles on the beach they did walk
They had so much fun as they walked on the beach
No stopping for anything, the city they must reach
To be married by sunup was their goal
To me as a child, this story was told
It is a story about my parents, you see
They had twelve kids, first three boys and then me
I am the oldest of eight girls, which makes me the best
Seven more girls, tell me why they wanted the rest
So after eight girls, They wanted a boy
To have another little boy, would be such a joy
A boy it was, but not for long on this earth
Number twelve only lived twelve hours after birth
It was so sad, for such a beautiful child to die
We know up in heaven with the Angels he does fly
Both Daddy and Mama have now gone home
They wait for the eleven and hope they don't roam
Away from the teachings, taught as a child
By parents that made living a good life worthwhile
Dear God how I pray, we all make it to Heaven
Daddy and Mama have one, but wait for the eleven
All twelve in heaven, on earth we'll leave none
In Heaven will not be, Twelve Minus One

�
author
Emma Sprinkle Rice
January 8, 2002