they say it's your birthday

she informs me 

that it's her birthday

on sunday.

but she's booked

solid for the whole month

so i have to get in line.

there's a parade planned

for the weekend.

flowers come by the hour.

cakes are made.

presents are wrapped with

ribbons and bows.

people are flying in

from afar for her special

day. the phone keeps ringing.

it's not just one day,

it's the week, an entire month.

when was yours, she asks,

smiling from ear to ear,

her lips covered in sweet 

vanilla icing. when is your

birthday?

yesterday, i tell her.

oh, she says. i wish i

would have known.