As the Sun Rises

Wow, today’s the day! 
Happy Birthdays are so fun 
when you’re young and spry. 

Candles to blow out, 
your name written in icing 
on cake to devour 

in major mouthfuls. 
Caution yields to scrumptiousness — 
stomach aches are worth 

that party of taste 
dancing on your happy tongue 
as smiles surround you. 

Ripping off wrapping 
from boxes given with love, 
full of surprises. 

When you grow older 
there is much less excitement. 
But if you’re lucky 

there is no less joy. 
Gifts are good but smiles are best 
with heartfelt wishes 

that more years be yours 
with good health and happy times 
than hard-hearted days. 

Mark these thoughts made real 
by words backed with pure intent. 
Let them live in you. 

Hold belief in hope; 
magic words may bless your soul 
if faith makes it so. 

Tomorrow’s sorrows 
are certain to come, of course. 
Past mistakes, heartbreaks, 

regrets will always 
be part of your history, 
for humans are flawed. 

Birthdays remind us 
of a day’s hidden value 
in life’s tapestry. 

Be grateful today is yours. 
And remember tomorrow 
is another hope-fueled chance 
to dance with your dreams 
as the sun rises 
to birth a new day 
and a fresh, new you.