Birthday Gift

I didn’t forget the occasion.

Oh man, look at the time

It’s a bit after eight.

Did I come to the gathering a bit late?

Did I have to flash security my identification

just to snake my way past the gate?

Never fear, you don’t have any burdens to bear.

Cuz’ I’m still here.

I may not be decked out in tha’ best of attire.

They told me to dress casually.

Well…

The way I’m pictured rite now?

I’m looking like I got snatched out of my

bedroom at three in the morning,

cold from the other night still frosted around my eyes.

A bunch of yellow condensation.

Crusty—

cept’ there’s no tomato paste.

Or mozzarella, any anchovies.

They didn’t make this Hawaiian style.

Dark bags you get from the bodega

forming around my eyes,

looking like someone

done socked me five times.

Hairs on my head stand up

like Super Saiyans, but I didn’t need to transform at all.

My baggy clothes, my jeans—

sagging like my sack.

Hoodie all messy.

Food and drink all over it.

Leftover chicken, spot the grease on the logo.

Sweet tea probably spilled onto the cuffs.

But, honey!

I’m still here, you already know

I wouldn’t miss your party for the world.

These people are looking at me like I’m insane.

Aye…

that’s okay.

I don’t care what they’re thinkin’

I’m here for you because you’ve

done a lot to help me.

I know.

I was going thru some rough times back in December,

which heavily influenced how I acted.

My emotions got the best of me,

I didn’t know how to manage any of them.

Just lost it, I couldn’t take it anymore.

You saw some of my depressing snaps.

I know you didn’t want to see me like that.

It probably broke your heart.

You’re used to seeing me do

extraordinary things—

such as writing my books and

meeting influential persons,

not sit up here venting like

I done lost a nerve or somethin.’

But, hey. I’m all right now.

Did they cut the cake yet?

Because, I want to watch you make a wish.

Let’s hope it’s a great one.

You’re the birthday girl,

after all.