Birthdays

Hampton Court Palace, London,

Dial of the Astronomical Clock,

made by Nicholas Oursian in 1540

This splendid example of the clockmaker's art does not go

tick - tock;

nevertheless, it measures the passing of time.

Today is my birthday, and this poem describes how I feel about it.

Getting Older

The first surprise: I like it.

Whatever happens now, some things

that used to terrify have not:

I didn't die young, for instance. Or lose

my only love. My three children

never had to run away from anyone.

Don't tell me this gratitude is complacent.

We all approach the edge of the same blackness

which for me is silent.

knowing as much sharpens

my delight in January freesia,

hot coffee, winter sunlight. So we say

as we lie close on some gentle occasion:

every day won from such

darkness is celebration.

Elaine Feinstein