Brutally cold January night, but no surprise
to anyone living in Martins Ferry in 1951
Deep snow in layered drifts, like ocean waves
Piled high above front doorsteps
Blustering winds, howl like wildcats
Blowing pitch black coal furnace soot
onto pristine white fresh fallen snow
Black and white, extremes amidst life’s limitless color
Most things, still waiting for spring to be born
4:14 AM, a tiny cry breaks the early morning air
Not winter’s angry wind, but a newborn
Taking life’s first frightening breath
And from that first breath, five hundred million more
Each a new beginning, strung together
like an unimaginably long pearl necklace
Worn as only a man at fifty-seven can wear
You look back, trying to understand
But you never really do
All you know is it all starts with a single breath, and
that is also how it finally ends
Poetic Alchemist 
Aurora: Thanks so much. The kind wishes are very much appreciated. And yes, poetry!
Happy belated birthday, Don! May the year be filled with much happiness, joy, love, and poetry. 🙂
Thanks Andrew, Pat and Margie for the birthday wishes. It was a great day. Snowy and cold, but a wonderful day.
Happy Birthday!! What a wonderful way to celebrate it.
Hey I’m not late! Happy Birthday!! I hope you have 500 million more…breaths!
Wishing you a very happy birthday, Don!
Wonderful poem!
Best wishes…always!
Margie
Polona: Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it.
happy birthday, don!
a beautiful post , too
Dan: Thanks for the birthday wish. You were an early reader! Yikes. I think it was front page news on the Time Leader: Another River Rat Born Today.
Kai: Thanks for the birthday wish.
Floots: Thanks for the birthday wish and hope you are well.
hey happy birthday!:)
Nice one, Don. I remember reading about this in the Times Leader. I was an early reader, you know.
Yep, Happy Birthday!
happy birthday don 🙂
and a suitable post
good one