27

melissa's birthday dinner
was a quiet affair

there were presents
and cards
and cheesecake

she is a beautiful girl
(woman)

been thinking a lot about
the past these last few days
the good - and not so good
it all comes back so fresh
like it was last week and not
20 some years ago
we've come so far from those times

and now she's grown and making
her own way
piecing her own mosaic together
and i can stand off to the side
and watch
wide eyed with wonder
that she is the very same
tiny, dark haired, dark eyed girl
who went everywhere with me
and even looked at me
with wide eyed wonder

happy birthday, baby
27 is the ticket