Neil Gaiman is one of those authors who both gets too much and not enough credit for genius.  I’m not a huge comics fan, and that’s certainly where he’s made his name.  But I AM a huge fan of short stories, and when this man is on, he’s really on.  ”The Price”, and “The Wedding Present” are two of the best examples of fictional works examining the nature of love that I’ve ever read.

The Blueberry Girl - a poem he wrote for his daughter, that was turned into a children’s book by the amazing illustrator Charles Vess – is another.

Since Sprog is the size of a blueberry this week, I thought it fitting to post this, and to encourage everyone to go have a look at this amazing children’s book.  I’ve given it almost exclusively at showers for baby girls for a couple of years now, and it will be read often whether Sprog dangles or dimples.  The sentiments are just too beautiful and the paintings too perfect for the hopes we have for any child.

Ladies of light and ladies of darkness and ladies of never-you-mind,
This is a prayer for a blueberry girl.
First, may you ladies be kind.
Keep her from spindles and sleeps at sixteen.
Let her stay waking and wise.
Nightmares at three or bad husbands at thirty, these will not trouble her eyes.
Dull days at forty, false friends at fifteen – let her have brave days and truth,
Let her go places that we’ve never been, trust and delight in her youth.
Ladies of grace and ladies of favor and ladies of merciful night,
This is a prayer for a blueberry girl.
Grant her your clearness of sight.
Words can be worrisome, people complex, motive and manners unclear,
Grant her the wisdom to choose her path right, free from unkindness and fear.
Let her tell stories and dance in the rain, somersault, tumble and run,
Her joys must be high as her sorrows are deep.  Let her grow like a weed in the sun.
Ladies of paradox, ladies of measure, ladies of shadows that fall,
This is a prayer for a blueberry girl.
Words written clear on a wall.
Help her to help herself, help her to stand, help her to lose and to find.
Teach her we’re only as big as our dreams.
Show her that fortune is blind.
Truth is a thing she must find for herself, precious and rare as a pearl.
Give her all these and a little bit more.
Gifts for a blueberry girl.