a birthday poem

I shamelessly love my birthday

Basking in love from my family and friends

sunflowers waiting on the kitchen counter

present wrapped in a bath towel

because no wrapping paper could be found

students interrupting class to sing and bring 

homemade chocolate surprises

a mammoth smiley face balloon and cards from

girls who have captured my heart and who

make teaching worth it

Facebook birthday wishes from old friends

   sisters and best friends in far away places

dance party CDs, dressing up hot

sangria, old man band, and being the 
youngest group dancing on the roof 

marathon walk to the next place

your neighbor, the bassist in the band

...more dancing...maybe in the streets...

topping it off with a late night rendevouz with

UFOs (the kind you eat, of course) 

25, you were welcomed in style.

You have a lot to live up to

and you could quite possibly be the 

best year of my life.