Happy Birthday Tony

 

Before this birthday is over
                                                      expires--
another exhausted day
in the backlands of blank--
I'll breathe so deeply
the faint of heart will blush
and step back.
 

Back
back into the limos
where your drivers
always from Israel
or Kenya or somewhere
respectfully await directions.
 

But the day's not done.
I'm the same age & always will be
in their eyes--the retreaters,
the faint of heart.
 

Imagine anyone that way these days,
backing away from my party
in borrowed limousines.
No way will they give directions
while I sniff the air
for traces.