Birthday Song

"Let us forget with generosity
those who cannot love us"- Pablo Neruda

Fifty-eight
is not a kid,
not even
middle-aged.

The end game
looms.

Time to turn off
the past
and be where
and who I am.

No more ghosts,
old lovers,
ruined life,
lost children:
no more contrition.

I have made
my apologies
too many times.

Now, I set it all free.

Time to venture
into what's left,
alone but unafraid.

Here I go.
  - mce