when a person has a birthday
how ever old they are
you think about a child
and all the gifts they crave
with all the world spread out ahead
wishing on a star

but later on in life,
you start to realise
it’s not about the birthday gifts
you only wish for greetings
from loved ones flung afar
all the distant family
and all the friends you made
just to see them smile again
though they are in the grave

it’s hard to have a party
when the guests are gone away
and you are the last of them
to linger here and stay

you watch the children gather
you offer them some cake
you smile and laugh and bless them
and linger for their sake