Most Birthdays leave me vulnerable to the precepts of Birthday etiquette

It catches me,

Forcing me to celebrate things I run from, the older I get

Maturity, responsibility, human company

Loving me is difficult,

Especially when you're 30

My Birthday bunting says,

'Happy Fucking Birthday'

You made it for me,

An insult and a sparkly salutation, all in one.

Leaving those two poles together

Sentiments from one heart

It’s an order to enjoy

Steadying me with your equanimity

So I can march straight ahead in to Birthday bliss,

Shaking off sadness is hard to do,

But don’t worry, your card says,

“We’ll still laugh at you.”