Birthday

Earthmother (for Heidi)

When I think of you, it is with thoughts of butterflies and flowers. I did not know their names until you told me, like a precious secret, like this knowledge was the only true wealth, and how lucky that we could be rich together. Perhaps I would not know to love the world from the roots up, as you do, without your quiet enthusiasm for everything that grows.
It might seem a perilous undertaking of the spirit, to see what beauty is still alive in this world of smoke, and speed, and fear, but as I question if there is hope for us in the times to come, I remember you in your garden, smiling, and showing us that hope is everywhere if you know where to look.

Secret Admirer

I probably won’t admit it in person, but I think you’re pretty great.

Quiet Way

You arrived
when you were most needed
and held the ground steady
in your quiet way.
For us, there is no question,
we could never have made it this far
without you.

Birthdays (masc)

When people asked how old he was, he would say 1009365, more or less, because he was so glad to be alive that he counted every day a birthday. He had some disagreement from his knees about the actual figures though.

Walking Together

I am proud to see
the one you are,
and the one
you are becoming.
It is no small thing,
this chance I have
been given
to walk the road
beside you.

Welcome Party

If you find yourself wondering when it will be your time,
congratulations, your time has come.

Heart Lines

There are invisible lines
connecting everything together,
and I am particularly fond of
the one that connects me to you.

The Wonder of It All

Sitting there in your pajamas & all the time in the world & if I could keep any moment it would be this: watching you & holding my breath with the wonder of it all.

Something True

My favorite thing is saying something true, he said, but I’m a lot younger than you & don’t have to worry so much about my reputation.

Some Kind of Ride

feels like some kind of ride but it’s turning out just to be life going absolutely perfectly

Side by Side

We sat side by side in the morning light & looked out at the future together.

Scraps of Magic

These are little scraps of magic & when you paste them together you get a memory of something fine & strong, she said. Sometimes it takes till you’re 40 to see it though.

Running Behind

When I met the Grandfather of Time, he said it was no use struggling. Even after all these years he still had too much to do.

Quiet Pride (No Gender)

There has never been a day when I have not been proud of you, I said, though some days I’m louder about other stuff so it’s easy to miss that.

Quiet Pride (daughter)

There has never been a day when I have not been proud of you, I said to my daughter, though some days I’m louder about other stuff so it’s easy to miss that.

Quiet Pride (son)

There has never been a day when I have not been proud of you, I said to my son, though some days I’m louder about other stuff so it’s easy to miss that.

Queen of the Universe

I used to hate birthdays, she told me, until I figured out I was the Queen of the Universe & now I do them for the little people.

Perfect Day

It was a day filled with the glow of ordinary things & we passed them quietly from hand to hand for a long time & someone said she had picked a perfect day to be born & I think all of us felt the same.

One of Us

Someday, the light will shine like a sun through my skin & they will say, What have you done with your life? & though there are many moments I think I will remember, in the end, I will be proud to say, I was one of us.

Kindred Spirits

You’re the strangest person I ever met, she said & I said you too & we decided we’d know each other a long time.