On my birthday, June 21, 2018
For all of you
—
glow bright,
torch flame ball
squeezes
through the cracks
in the wall
of the circled garden,
zapping flowers and faces
with light and warmth
illuminating orb climbs atop
the back of a crab carriage
and takes up its reigns
ten miles down the trail
then ten more and
a final ten days, still
of all the gifts
possible to call satisfying,
none is more so
than having a handful of faces
you know and welcome
into your eyes
arms about you,
a band of those who can be counted as your people
and you
as one of their own
in this, my mem-heh day,
I dig into my pockets
and find only useless
bits of nothing,
ridiculous things like gold
and documents of ownership,
certificates of overpriced
possessions,
keys to things,
things that are kept
locked away
for fear of their loss…
I instead grab for paper and pen and offer you instead,
something truly useful
a small scrap of peace
like the Christ split the
loaves and fishes,
I will break this bread of joy
with all of you,
we will divide it between us
until there is no more left
with each disappearing morsel,
may you, like Osiris,
be reconstructed,
made whole
enjoy your slice of cake
it was never mine, anyway;
nothing ever was
the things I called my own
were spells, illusions,
glamours and self-deceptions
the only thing real is that
which I give to you
may it sustain your hearts
through lonely periods
may it entertain you
during dullness
may it prevent you
from doing stupid things
when you are angry
or afraid
may it protect you
from the attacks of others,
may it protect you
from the awful attacks
that you launch
upon yourself
may it make you laugh
when you’re down
and seemingly out
may it be a cornerstone for you,
as you succeed
and build your new palaces
in the sun
take this and share
like a plant cutting,
spread it
like wildfire,
let it swallow the whole
branding genuine smiles
on the faces of all you people,
you children
of birth and growth,
decline and
the final surrender to sleep
let this stupid,
silly smile disease
infect you,
let the epidemic of laughter
sweep
over the land
taking you utterly
and joyfully
by surprise
By Kevin Trent “Magus” Boswell
