one star blinking sleepy in the morn before the piercing sunbeams lance it one bloom bobbing gentle in the dew before the deadly warmth surrounds it one dream lifting spirits through the day before a thoughtless comment kills it one heart bright and open fearless knowing before betrayal breaks and stills it one child before her first kiss before her first love before her first death before her first loss before adulthood comes and steals her away away into the endless day beyond the reach of welcome night beyond caress of needed sleep far from her mother's loving arms