October Birthday

Birthday candles blazing in a circle,
like the family and friends gathered around you,
like the silver quiver of a hunter’s moon.

Blow them out and then make your secret wish,
like the wind that dances with the autumn leaves
and the green wishes granted by the spring.

Take your knife, cut the cake and eat it up,
like the waning moon and the crumbs of autumn
and the storing up of joy within our hearts.

Rip away the wrapping, open up your gifts
as spring opens the gifts sent from winter
or every newborn heart unwraps the world.