Elsie Marley was a playful, middle child, with five sparkling siblings,
Living on emerald, Willow Brook Farm, underneath skies very citron.

Everyone in the family lent a hand, at skillfully managing their farm.
At twelve years old, Elsie joined in, like golden bees, flower charmed.

Every fleeting day was the same as the last, yet magically different;
Like when a rainbow touches jade grass, and blazing sun is imminent.

Fantastic friends made school days fun, in the flitting, youthful hours;
With life as fresh and fabulous as spring, or as rainfall scented flowers.

Farmers sowed in fine, fragrant furrows, when cherry blossoms rained;
And family came calling, in flurries of petals, where red robin reigned.

Elsie lived in the house of doorways, of children going and coming in;
In a tumult of joyous colors; like pink moon nights, of purple martins.

Lyric larks were ever listened to, along jade, foliate, Strawberry Lane;
Located at Willow Brook's lauded south border, like love that remains.

Elsie's favorite neighbors were Naomi and Nadia, very near to her age;
Who playfully imitated being princesses, like red roses at center stage.

Careless bugleweeds were blowing, in deep, violet shades of summer;
When candytuft plants gave sweet thrills, like the flash of blue thunder.

Cupid's dart blooms went right to the heart, to the beat of raven wings;
And dame's rocket launched nighttime scents, to hear nightingale sing.

Elsie grew negligent of her mundane chores, as princesses did not work;
And her dismayed siblings picked up the slack, like dawn's redbird chirp.

But Elsie waked one day, to words that shamed her, spoken by her sister;
Like an onyx shadow, retreating hastily, once mellow sun has kissed her!

Nan told Sue, 'Elsie Marley is grown so fine, She won't get up to feed the swine,
But lies in bed till eight or nine. Lazy Elsie Marley.' Truth can be unkind!

Elsie resumed the role of dutiful sister and daughter, to her family's relief,
Coming to see all girls are princesses, like a vast garden's colorful motif.