Birthday Wish
by Shannon Ausman
Asotin, Washington
Reprinted with permission of Bereavement Publishing, Inc. 1-888--604-HOPE (4673).
January 19, 1992
Today is my birthday
The card is signed,
"Love, Mom, Dad, Poco, (and Chris)"
Mom is my mom,
Dad is my dad,
Poco is my poodle,
Chris is my brothr.
He's dead.
Seven months and four days
Since he was killed.
Today is my birthday, and
All I want is him.
My present would be
Six-feet, seven inches tall
With a tow-head top,
Wide at the shoulders and
Narrow at the hips.
Big hands, one hammer thumb,
Blue eyes...
A big heart ----
And I'd like him wrapped in life!
He's in a box,
But there's no bow.
