When birthdays

come around

always the gathering

the giving of gifts

the blowing out of candles

the slicing of cake

the happy birthday song

the opening of cards

 

those cards composed

by someone else

but which hold a special message

that someone had to choose

having spent a long time in the aisle

going through them one by one

reading them

putting them back

until the perfect one appears

 

one so personal

as if the person themselves

had written it

it matches what is felt

in their hearts

yet too infrequently pronounced

 

when read aloud

we learn what we might not have known

since it was never whispered

much less said aloud

the thoughts assumed

the emotions implied

 

somehow the choice of a card

delivered a message

of caring and appreciation

signed sentimentally

with love

 

love is felt in many ways

but often not expressed

until a birthday comes along

and a simple card

leaves the recipient surprised

and impressed

at what is held in

somone else's heart.