birthday cupcake
waking up and going about
your business then
at the end of the day
remembering it's your birthday.
just enough time, if you try,
to make some cupcakes.
those sweet little things
you got at school,
when someone else had a birthday,
brought by a doting mother
which you never had, uh,
your mom was a drunk
with an attitude,
and a short temper, who couldn't
find a donor for a replacement
liver in time to live
to your 47th birthday,
which you still have time for,
though, if you hurry.
mix the batter with butter and eggs.
bake it in parti-colored birthday
cupcake cups.
stick little candles left over
from when your kids were still at home.
don't look at the sharp knife on the counter.
light one, and say a wish.
-Ell
