A DOZEN ROSES
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 --<--<--({@      --<--<--({@      --<--<--({@     --<--<--({@
 --<--<--({@      --<--<--({@      --<--<--({@     --<--<--({@
 --<--<--({@      --<--<--({@      --<--<--({@     --<--<--({@
 
 I GOT A DOZEN ROSES
 FROM A FRIEND THE OTHER DAY;
 BUT I ONLY HAVE ONE LEFT,
 FOR I GAVE THEM ALL AWAY.
 
 I GAVE ONE TO MY SISTER,
 WHO TO ME IS VERY DEAR,
 IN HOPES THAT IT WILL BRING TO HER
 A LITTLE FLORAL CHEER.
 
 I TOOK ONE TO A FRIEND
 WHO'S NOT FEELING VERY WELL;
 THE FLOWER OR THE VISIT -
 WHICH HELPED MORE I COULD NOT TELL.
 
 ONE WENT TO A FRIEND
 I HAVEN'T KNOWN FOR VERY LONG.
 SHE STRUGGLES, SO IN SOME SMALL WAY
 I HOPE THIS HELPS HER CARRY ON.
 
 THE REST WENT TO THE ONES
 WHO'VE HELPED ME IN SO MANY WAYS;
 THEY HAVE BEEN A CHEERFUL PRESENCE
 ON MY VERY DREARY DAYS.
 
 THE ROSES WERE SO PRETTY
 I JUST COULD NOT KEEP THEM ALL,
 EXCEPT ONE SINGLE BUD STANDING
 BEAUTIFUL AND TALL.
 
 MY FRIEND GAVE ME THE FLOWERS
 TO HELP BRIGHTEN UP MY DAY,
 BUT THE BIGGEST JOY I RECEIVED
 WAS IN GIVING THEM AWAY.
 
 --<--<--({@
 
 PLEASE SHARE THE FLOWERS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!
  
****************************************************