The Music Box by Martin Hicks

for Sara and Kate

Tinkle, tinkle, chimed the tune.
Children listened hour by hour.
Tinkle, tinkle in high room
Silver notes escaped in shower.

Wooden box was wound again.
Key and spring would never falter:
Tinkle, tinkle,antique strain
Secret soundboard couldn't alter.

Father soon regretted fact
Cedar gift was bought at all,
Daughters found in same no lack
Cased in orchestra so small.

Then the music came once more.
Tinkle, tinkle, shone starlight.
Little bare feet skipped on floor
Pirouettes in gowns so light.

Parent with indignant air,
Wailed at stairway song was trite.
Twirlers answered, without care,
"It's all new to us tonight!"