Today is my birthday. I love birthdays. I'm not one of those modest types who fails to mention her birthday is coming up, who wants no fuss or bother.
Give me fuss! Give me bother! It's a wonderful chance to celebrate all of us being alive.
And so, for my birthday, I give you a present, my favorite poem by Czeslaw Milosz. May it bring you a little moment of beauty in a busy day:
Gift
A day so happy.
Fog lifted early. I worked in the garden.
Hummingbirds were stopping over the honeysuckle flowers.
There was no thing on earth I wanted to possess.
I knew no one worth my envying him.
Whatever evil I had suffered, I forgot.
To think that once I was the same man did not embarrass me.
In my body I felt no pain.
When straightening up, I saw blue sea and sails.
Happy Birthday, Brenda!I hope your day is absolutely lovely and filled with joy!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I'm the same way. I tell everyone. No shame. Here's my gift to you: Your essays are helping me SO MUCH... they make me feel like I can do this. This = life. = the writing life. = my book. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura! And yes, you CAN do it!
DeleteHappy happy birthday Brenda. You are gracious and lovely. May this entire year be one of blue skies and sails.
ReplyDeleteThank you Erin!
DeleteHappy Birthday! It must be hard waiting an extra day every four years to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kacie! Yes, leap year always makes Feb. way too long...
DeleteHappy birthday! Hopefully you had a grand day :D
ReplyDeleteI did! Two Chicago birthday meals, and three desserts. Need I say more?
DeletePretty keen poem :) and happy late birthday! Hope it went well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jack!
DeleteHappy birthday! This poem by Milosz is one of my all-time favorites.
ReplyDeleteThanks Molly!
Delete