9/13 & 9/14
We share the same initials.
We share the same nose
and bad vision
and bandy legs
and double-jointed thumb
and inexplicable love
of Judge Judy
We even share the same
48-hour
birthday window
which for years
was a source
of tele-hilarity
“Happy birthday!” he’d say
beating me to it
by 24 hours
every time
We shared the planet
for 42 years
after which
he took off without me
(We share the same disease, too, you see,
only he got his first)
When he left
things were hard
for a long time
A long, long time
For the usual reasons
mostly
but also because
while he always worked hard
he did not
as it turns out
work clean
But three years
is a long time
A long, long time
And I have done my work
and I have made my peace
and now I get
that sometimes the best gift
you can give yourself
is to forgive
someone else
So as I turn 45
I have two things
to say:
I am Tony Wainwright’s daughter
and “Happy Birthday”
First…
xxx
c
Photo: Me & Tony, circa 1968. Me & Ann, last year.
TOPICS: life, Poetry Thursday.
15 Comments, Comment or Ping
Neil
Happy Birthday, C.
Sep 13th, 2006
Josephine
That’s a beautiful photo. Happy Birtday to you, and to him.
Sep 13th, 2006
jenny
Based on an older photo you once had on your site, I think you also shared the same glasses, no? Great photo!
And forgiveness really is one of the best spring cleaning techniques, isn’t it?
Hope you have a wonderful birthday, Colleen!
Sep 13th, 2006
Peggy Archer
Happy Birthday!
Sep 13th, 2006
Shelley
Many happy returns.
And thank you for sharing this story.
Sep 13th, 2006
Nina
Colleen,
Your poems get better and better. I’m glad you’ve found peace on your birthday.
Warm thoughts and wishes.
Sep 13th, 2006
e.
So, it’s *your* birthday, but after reading today’s post, I feel like you just gave *me* a gift.
Thank you for being a support, for being a friend, for being a sister…but most of all, thank you for being….
Happy Birthday. I love you.
e.
Sep 13th, 2006
chartreuse
love that picture!
happy birthday
Sep 13th, 2006
MEB
Happy birthday, my talented, warm-hearted friend. I love the picture of you and your Dad. Love, MEB
Sep 14th, 2006
Erik
that’s a beautiful poem. happy belated birthday to you and happy birthday to him. very moving. xo
Sep 14th, 2006
Fred
I believe the term “cute as a button” applies to that picture. Happy Birthday and thank you for all of the enjoyable distractions from work you have provided for me since I discovered your little homestead in the intraweb-tubes.
Sep 14th, 2006
annie
Happy Birthday! You’re writing inspires me.
Sep 14th, 2006
Bon
*sniffle*
Beautiful. You and it. Thank you. And happy everything.
Sep 14th, 2006
Paul Worthingotn
Belated Happy Birthday. Hope it was nice.
Sep 14th, 2006
Jessica Doyle
Three times a charm.
That is “this is my third time reading the poem”. Family and fathers in particular share peculiar similarities with their daughters this isn’t to say they are bad or good… they just share them.
Your poem brought back some memories for me.
Happy Belated Bday
Sep 15th, 2006