Twelfth Birthday Poem

                    for grandniece Sophia



Hungary J6 Postage Due
12 Filler (issued 1903)

The number 12
is a sacred number;
12 signs of the Zodiac
is a secret wonder.

12 Signs
of the Zodiac


Lavender Delight Rose
with 12 petals

Lavender Delight Rose
has twelve petals;
12-pointed star
in a pendant medal.

12-pointed star
pendant medal


Tom Brady #12
New England Patriots (2000-present)
Super Bowls (36, 38, 39, 49, 51, 53)

Uniform #12
of Super Bowl
heroes
we hold
in awe—
Tom Brady,
Joe Namath,
& Terry Bradshaw.

Joe Namath #12
New York Jets (1965-1976)
Super Bowl III

Terry Bradshaw #12
Pittsburgh (1970-1963)
Super Bowls (9, 10, 13, 14)


Cube of 12 Edges

A cube has 12 edges
and six sides;
Most rulers measure
12 inches wide.

12-Inches Ruler


Platonic Solid:
Dodecahedron
with 12 faces

A dodecahedron
has 12 faces—
Prayer will bring
angelic embraces.

Angel Embracing
Jesus in Prayer

(Luke 22:43)


12 Hours on Clock
Noon or Midnight

12 o'clock is high
noon or midnight;
King Arthur's Round Table
gathered 12 knights.

12 Knights
of Round Table


12 Months in a Year

There are 12 months
in a calendar year—
Twelfth Night is a play
by William Shakespeare.

Twelfth Night


Double Six in Dice

12 is highest number
thrown in dice—
12 spirits Dante
met in Paradise.

12 Spirits (Paradiso X)


ART: 1 + 9 + 2 = 12
Art Palette

DUCK: 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 12
U.S. RW1b: Duck Stamp (1934)

Numerological words
adding to 12—
Art, duck, web, swan,
greeting yourself.

WEB: 5 + 5 + 2 = 12
Spider Web

SWAN: 1 + 5 + 1 + 5 = 12
Russia 2219: Swan (1959)


12 Rays of Sunshine

12 rays of sunshine
are coming your way—
Wishing you a most
Happy 12th Birthday!

12 Candles Birthday Cake

            Peter Y. Chou
            Mountain View, 6-3-2019