what the girl got
for her birthday
was
redwood trees
and
woodsmoke
and drunk
with friends
and love
so much love
and borrowed camp gear
and food
dear god
so much food
the paella and
everything toasted
with toast
cheese and peppers
and banana bread
and apples
and more cheese
and jam
and figs
and jamon
and chorizo
and eggs
and more toast
and then
cake! o! a muchness!
of cake! dark and sweet
and spicy
like love is
there was
so much love
and affection
sherry and brandy
and scotch
dark smoky scotch
and chocolate
sunlight through smoke and
the branches of trees
(much older than i am)
i turned thirty
and daylight savings time
ended
and we all slept in
an extra hour
and went home happy
and tired
and full
of everything good.

the chinese believe, on an auspicious day, whatever you experience will permeate the rest of the year. well, hello thirty. i'm glad to meet you.