THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
My granddaughter’s sixth birthday. Ten girls and two boys buzzing like trapped
bees in the screened-in patio. All
anxious for the games to begin.
Pin the tail on the donkey first. Most are too accurate. Suspect some peeking going on. Prizes are awarded to everyone. A bit too soon, it seems. Nothing left for later. The birthday girl shrugs. “Sorry, Mom.
Too late now.”
Pizza and coke and games on the lawn. Red light, green light, statues, a relay race
and a three-legged race. No tears, but
many excited players jumping the starting whistle.
Watching my daughter maintain the pace and the peace, I feel
my age. Once I stood where she
stands. Now I watch and marvel at the
speed of time and how some beautiful events repeat themselves. A comforting awareness.
a
soft wind –
children race to the
finish
tripping
with laughter
Stylus Poetry Journal, July 2003
