October 10, 2011

My mother’s birthday today but she has gone
on and won’t be asked to blow out candles
or open gifts of things she couldn’t possibly need.
I like to think she is light and free now
tumbling end over end giggling and merry
with her sister (the favorite) and
possibly my great aunt (our favorite) 
wearing the heavenly equivalent of
pointy-toed harlequin shoes breathing in
the heady fragrance of roses.