Today Was Your Birthday Poem by Bill Galvin

Today was your birthday.
But, of course, you were not here.
It would have been sixty-four;
(Yes, I would have still needed you.)
You left this, and your world of pain, a short time ago,
And it’s we who are saddened by our loss.
You are happy now to be freed from earthly shackles…
To move, to be unconfined, to sing once again,
To sweep along with the stars of the universe,
To smile amongst the angels.
We know your humility, your kind heart;
We know you do not want us grieving.
But, we are still here; on this earthly plane;
With all it’s human frailties.
We lose and we suffer; a loss, and we weep.
So fresh a wound, it’s too hard to resolve just yet.
You were remembered today by family and friends.
Calls from all over saying “Happy Birthday, Deb”.
Lots of birthday toasts.
And to a person they mourn your absence;
Each with their own fine memories of your effect.
You affected everyone who got to know you
In a way not many can or will.
They miss the shining light of your essence.
So, this is the first birthday you’ve missed,
And the first we’ve missed you…
So much… so, so much.


3-12-2015 (Winter Park, FL)