celebrating getting old

stretching the celebration

from a day to a full week

with a surprise outing to tea

tasting at the Chinese Gardens

to card after birthday card

to sharing supper and bringing

dozens of cupcakes to share

with all in the dining room

to precious blue earrings

to enormous collections

of favorite flowers

to joyful words on the phone

with those far away whom

i hold dear

it may, then, be worth it

to be getting older

bouquet after bouquet

bouquet after bouquet whisper

love and celebration now that

i am 58 again for the 27th time

such outpouring beyond

my own deserving is unsettling

until i can persuade myself

to close my eyes, lie back

and thank God for blessings

i have time to try to live up to