BIRTHDAY BLUES

BIRTHDAY BLUES I waited with anticipationFor a simple goodwill messageA cycle had rolled to add one moreA sister called and sent in textsA cousin and a nephew too stood outEven a bank, though facelessMy natal day, they rememberedThe clock counted, like the crack of dawnThree zero on the hour of nineI picked a phone to hark backI was born today, many decades agoYou said no-no, in defense of guiltYou, of all people, I call dear dearI dropped the phone, not to hear a lieA private number rang and flashedI wondered who the anonymous wasI cut off the caller without a nameTo wait for your expected christening callIt rang again; I picked it up, the caller cutBattle ready, at the other end, and then I knewBy your phony phone habits, it was youThat would pick a war at me on a day like thisAnd because you were reminded, you refusedTo say the soothing words ‘Happy Birthday…’