belated wishes

the birthday comes,
it goes.
there was a time though
when you baked
her a cake,
frosted it, stuck
a candle in
the middle. you
carried it to her door.
you bought her
flowers, a gift
or two.
small, but thoughtful
things that
she could use.
you signed the card
with love,
underlining the word
love a few times
for proper emphasis.
but not this year.
it took a week or so
to pass
then it crossed
your mind that it came
and went without you.