poems

your birthday in summer

your birthday comes in summer
when the moon is round and dusky and heavy
like an expectant mother of twins

the grasses have matured
the roses bloom a second time

on the day you were born
a thunderstorm drove black clouds before it
gem-throated hummingbirds sang flowers to climax

and the woman who claimed you as her own
whispered a welcome
into the seashell curve of your ear

updated 2 days ago