day 1

"happy birthday, beautiful"/Autumn #17 pt. 2



I.
itching to sing a song that has been
resting at the bottom of your stomach

that is where your breath takes a breath
sleeping somber
dreaming of the day a voice awakens

II.
a soul is more than just exhaustion
it is the silent beckoning
of a silent auction

we all gamble away our pride when the time is right
making sure not to play lottery with time

III.
we need all the time we can put our arms around

IV.
birthdays are a celebration of a beginning
it is a rare occasion
to put yourself first

it is the time you win jackpot
cashing in all the minutes you have wasted
today is a day to spend time wishing
hoping
dreaming

V.
on my thirteenth birthday
my mother forgot to wish me a good day at school

on my sixteenth birthday
my mother forgot that i hated sweet sixteens
they are only poor excuses to showcase how pretty we can all be
with just a cake of make up and a bunch of money envelopes
money will never buy you beauty

VI.
on my nineteenth birthday
my mother left me a money envelope on my bed
with a voicemail that inspired me

"Happy birthday, beautiful
we are wishing you good luck
and good health
forever
in your life

love,
mommy"

VII.
I will spend this year
feeling as beautiful everyday
just as if it is my birthday

there are plenty of reasons to feel your soul awakening
perhaps from the rumble of a cry
in the bottom of your throat

singing a happy birthday song
to your mother
to the beauty of a soul

on my nineteenth birthday
I woke up singing