Birthdays pile up

And time slips away

Each year the cake crowds

With another candle

Planted in the strong roots

Of the honey-sweet dessert

I sit in the same chair

I sing the same song

But each year feels different

A little older

A little wiser

A little changed

Each candle pulls

And scrapes away another inch

Of the familiarity

That I hold so close

That I rely on

That I need

I hold my breath as I wish

But the uninvited arms of fear

Wrap around my mind

That can’t help but wonder

What will it be like this time next year?

What will I be like?

Will I still be me?

The flames dance in my eyes

Flickering as if to promise

That they’ll stay

That they’ll be here for me

The warm light meets my cheeks

As I lean in

I squeeze my eyes tightly

Afraid that this all

Could be blown out

With a mere breath