Thursday, 24 May 2012

Ode to belated birthdays

(for Kshanika)

They come around,
and like death
can be counted on,
one day of the year
for birthday wishes
and that's good,
but belated birthday wishes
they are all-season days
down-days and up-days
and inconsequential ones too,
sad ones and bad ones
great and unforgettable ones too,
belated birthdays -
they are life's most un-utilized wish-days,
and i am happy that they exist
364 days every year
and 365 each leap year.

[From the collection 'Some texts are made of leaves,' shortlisted for the Gratiaen Award 2011] 

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