Hey, My Friend

(It’s not only black and white).

(to my dear friend)

————

Hey, My Friend, 

You think you are getting one year older?

Today, I’m patting you on the shoulder.

You are getting one year wiser.

The path you went through

have taught you once again

how to stand fresh and glow

like a pearl in a shell

- shine and grow; 

and cover yourself

when the tsunami of life

brings turmoil. 

Hey, My Friend,

Look, one more year you’ve learned

how not to burn

under the dry-desert’s Sun;

and to build armadillo shell 

to protect your back from the ones

who wants to skin you not only once.

Your last birthday year is already gone.

It flew away like clouds in the sky. 

I know, life is not only black and white.

Don’t look behind. Take a breath

and look at the cheerful rainbow above.

You are lucky to stand up

in front of this cake and celebrate! 

You are lucky to start a new year again.

Happy birthday, My Friend!

By Petrouchka Alexieva

From: United States