Poetry Friday: Birthday!

Mona declares it's "birthday" day for poetry! I have two pieces.

The Birthday Boy!

My dad just celebrated 88
And man, his attitude is just so great

White cake in pink is his special request
Since that's what his mom made the best
The candles are lit and the lights go out
He loves the ceremony without a doubt!

Dad toasts himself with his coke and rum
At 88, there is nothing glum!
His body is healthy, he's as sharp as a tack
In his outlook on life,there is nothing to lack

This man has had an amazing life
In the depression enduring strife
Flying a plane throughout the war
When days he had might be no more

Maybe all this accounts for a lot
And this kind of thing just can't be taught
I so admire dad's brightness and zest
And at 88, it's still the best
He has within him a strong Life Force
And one that I can surely endorse

Would that we all had this special man's view
In each and every thing we do.

Here's to Birthdays!

Birthday Parties in the 50's!

games

blindfolds

tied around Toni perms

spinning around

in our Sunday School dresses

crinolinesflouncing

pin the tail on the donkey

drop the clothespin in the milk bottle

bobbing for apples

presents

contain the excitement

of my first puppet -

a velveteen rabbit

I still have it

some doll clothes

new marbles

play doh

colouring books and new crayons

or pastels!

or a bath talcum powder mitt

pretend lipstick

Little Miss Cologne-

all nicely wrapped...the real way

with beautiful bows

by stay at home moms

sandwiches

egg, tuna, salmon

fresh mooshy white bread

with no crusts

cut in triangles

chocolate cake

with coins inside

wrapped in saran

7 minute boiled frosting

crystals of sugar

candles blown out

amidst kids singing

and clapping

home made pop

happy fizzy pills

to drop in water

in grape orange and cherry

party favours

small coloured candies

in pink plastic baskets

at each place setting

and balloons to take home

long or short-

savoured simplicity