On Her 59th Birthday Poem by RIC BASTASA

she was the first to gift
me a brown sweat shirt when
i had my 6th birthday
and i could not really forget that

now on her 59th birthday
she took charge of everything
down to the last detail of the flower
that gives accent to the
center table to the cake's flavor
and the ginger slices that
go with her fish fillet

she is the bread winner of the family
her husband is weak and
good for nothing

what can we do? we must love what
she loves
because we love her too.

time is like a slimy fish
it swims inside our hearts
eluding the hands that
want to catch it

we were talking about
another sister who is sick
with no one
in the hospital

there were other talks
whatever
i did not pay attention anymore
i have my own
version of insecurities
and i do not wish to tack
it on their piles.

we said goodbye
the night was deep and the
longing continues
deeper than before