Sixty Birthdays
my first one spent in my birthday suit
warmed by a receiving blanket
after my tunnel chute
in my youth, gifts i remember —
small camera, parcheesi, Donny Osmond
album
i’d get to invite over
a special friend
for the night
i’ve had three surprise parties —
in Hawaii - friend dropped off early
so everyone had to come to the door
“Surprise!”
My Aunt & Uncle smack in the middle
i’d talk eventually!
strawberry daiquiris and cake
at forty, thought i was braver,
handled the screams...
but my collegiate son
called me on the phone,
“i want to come home.”
“Why? When.”
He yells from downstairs,
“How ‘bout now.”
i cried a river on his shoulder.
you see..we had gotten a call
the previous week that he was run over
by a truck...turned out to be only his toe,
thank the Lord, for that!
at fifty, it’s no secret what they’re going to do
but this year i know the date and the battle
my mom’s going through - she may not be coming
i guess it depends on what happens Friday
God, so far, has blessed me with sixty birthdays
and two parents who have lived this long
to tell me my stories and i carry theirs
as far as i can,
a candle in hand
my wish
for my family’s health and happiness
and yours too!
10/7/2020
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