Barefoot boy with cheeks of tan

My grandson, Court Rye has a web site identified earlier on this blog and one of his sub-categories is labeled, an active life.
Unlike John Greenleaf Whittier who waited until he was old and gray to recount with sadness the joyful days of youth, Court rejoices in them at an early age with exhuberance.

Whittier's , BAREFOOT BOY

Blessings on thee, little man,
Barefoot boy with cheek of tan!
With thy turned-up pantaloons,
And thy mery whistled tunes;
With thy red lips, redder still
Kissed by strawberries on the hill;
With the sunshine on thy face,
Through the torn brim's jaunty grace;
From my heart I give thee joy,-
I was once a barefoot boy!
Prince thou art,-the grown-up man
Only is republican.
Let the million-dollared ride!
Barefoot, trudging at his side,
Thou has more than he can buy
In the reach of ear and eye,-
Outward sunshine, inward joy:
Blessings on thee, barefoot boy!