for My Birthday Band

“Life is a series of surprises and would not be
worth taking or keeping if it were not.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

My birthday this year in quarantine.
I expected no cards or presents.
I bought my own special cupcake
and picked up Mexican takeout as my gifts.

Unexpected sounds shattered
my silence of alone.
As I stepped onto my lawn
Sammy of The Scaffolds
in his saxophone element.
Nicole with tambourine in hand,
Joanna maraca shaking.
Mike with a snare drum
As Andy sang along.
A balloon to lift my spirits.
A rendition of Happy Birthday
at social distances,
but closer to my heart.

Margarette Wahl