Birthday

Nature told me to close my eyes for the big surprise.

I had visions of wild woods in shindig mood, blossom as fireworks

and fancy dress, insects off their noddles on high-grade pollen,

Planet Earth in party mode, petals fizzing and frothing like pink champagne.

Then Nature walked me into the car park, lifted the blindfold

and showed me a cherry tree fit for the age. Embarrassment. Rage.