Birthday Boy

I’m sure this man

Has long outgrown the boy.

And yet sometimes

The eyes and smile betray

The shy and tender

Child of prey. 

Today another thirty something

And looking back

You well must know

Where strife and rife were born.

The years like short

Autumnal days sweep by

And rustic trees

Now raped of leaves

Our souls imply.

Something or maybe thirty something

Still to go – who knows?

But sometime on some

Sunny afternoon

Take time to hold that little boy

And underneath the falling leaves

Go gently wipe the tears away

And tell him of the buds of May.

Remember in the darkest night

The flickering candle casts a light

And worries waxed upon the brow

May melt and disappear

As birthday greetings come to cheer.