The birthday balloon is tethered to the top of a table lamp.
No longer taut, it sways seductively,
its “Make A Wish” message calling to me
as the helium hisses a slow escape.
There is much to wish for as one grows older
but my one wish is simple.
Let me live long enough to see our sons
with families of their own.
Their happiness would fill my heart to overflowing.
And oh, to have a granddaughter,
so that I can finally experience some
of what I so sorely missed with my own baby girl.
Such joy. My birthday wish.
ROADBLOCKS, DETOURS and ROUNDABOUTS 