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The Day of My Birthday

by Elivia C, Guelph, ON, Canada, Age 12

 

‘Twas the day of my birthday and all through the house
There was talk of my party from everyone’s mouth.
The decorations were hung ‘round the room with care
in hopes that they’d stay up; not fall here and there.

My friends were coming from all over town
while last-minute preps were all up and down.
While Mamma was in a mess and I in a dress
we dashed here and there to finish the ware.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

I saw Melissa close her Nissan door,
rush to my house and knock three times more.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature Hummer without a reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and so quick,
I knew in an instant it must be Beth’s dad, Nick.
And then in a twinkling I heard the car stop.
The rattling and squeaking ended with a clop.

As I drew in my head and was turning around
down on the drive was Milicent Brown.
She was dressed in a mini-skirt and red halter top,
her clothes were all ironed and her feet in flip-flops.

A bundle of gifts she had carried were given
To mother, whose hair was tied in a ribbon.
My happiness - how I might have burst with excitement and joy,
I ran down the stairs and almost tripped over a toy.

I opened the door and welcomed my guests
named Martha and Milicent and Melissa and Beth.
On the stump of a tree Beth stood to see
if my mother was cooking by the fire with glee.

"Happy Birthday!" they said as I approached them with hugs,
"Lina couldn’t make it - she’s got ‘the bugs.’"
I invited them in and they started singing
the song Happy Birthday; that was just the beginning.

A wink from Martha and Millicent, too,
soon gave me to know that I shouldn’t "Boo-hoo."
So later we sang and we danced and we played.
We walked and we talked and showed mom a parade.

But soon they all left, so I said "Goodnight,"
and they replied "Happy Birthday to you, your party was a delight!".