Golden Birthday

For Guy

Yesterday you spoke
of the anticipation
of tomorrow's tomorrow - 
a golden day
for celebrating eight.
And golden it will be,
a sun-drenched day following
a pink full moon,
and cherry blossoms
on the breeze.
What a day to be eight!
A day to wake up
to presents on the table
and cards in the mail,
to hear your classmates sing
(in Irish, no less!)
in your honor.
A day for self-portraits
and soccer kicks
and chocolate cake
with extra whipped cream.
Because, after all,
you only turn eight once.