glowing bright as a midnight star
a daughter strong as a towering oak
that's what I am getting... her name is Tahlia
wrapped in curls and manners bespoke

for me, her siblings and mother
frames filled with awards and recognition
we all know she is like no other
with focus, determination, and erudition

skills self-taught she crafts and smiles
folding, sewing, painting... singing away
her manner is engrossed as she beguiles
then off she goes all ready for play

not six, not twenty, just eleven in years
so knowing, and caring... always ready
"honey, can you find"... she's already up the stairs
her wit and knowledge are amazingly heady

a joy, a triumph to be called her "Dad"
I stop always to do whatever she'll ask
that is the way to guide and show her how glad
to know for me it's an honor... never a task