It was just
Sixty short years
Ago today that
The world was
Blessed with you
You are simply
Stars at night
Sun at day
Warming and twinkling
All of God’s
Peace and love
We all are
Fortunate to know
That we live
In your heart
Happiest of Birthdays
My sweet Mary
From me and
Those reading this
Early morning sun
Poked through trees
Splashing the street
With yellowed white
Every green imaginable
Captured before you
Like wildly grinning
Children caught off-guard
Zoe on leash
Prowled like thieves
Foraging for breakfast
Your shadow there
Danced like ghosts
Thinking of me
This morning’s walk
Burdened like boughs
Laden by late
April snow bending
But not snapping
Truth lies heavily
Often shed quietly
During those darkest
Moments of outrage
Difficult to lift
Impossible to sweep
It remains there
Until the sun
Once again breaks
Warming me knowing
What you said
You said lovingly
Not from spite
Nor from injury
Simply because you
You of all
Trusted I’d listen
Away you are
With the few
You hold dearest
Lounging languidly now
Snacking on fruits
And sweet vegetables
A lake lays
Before you there
Forests and valleys
Enjoy your time
With those three
Miracles of yours
I know they
Make you happier
Than any other
And upon
Looking and
Not seeing
I picked
Up not
A telescope
But a
Kaleidoscope in
Where I
At long
Last brought
You near
In there
I spied
Your colors
And design
All dancing
Before me
Twirling your
Jacket a
Cape and
Your smile
A mirror
Ball I
Imagined you
There before
Me watching
You dance
With your
Daughters and
Knew then
That you
Belonged right
There not
Here only
With them
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 