The Birthday Cake

The Birthday Cake

Can't I sleep? Oh, 'tis my birthday.

Everytime I must kick the fridge door,

Both my hands carrying my brother safely.

Yes, he is my brother, indeed

My dear little brother.

Only five years younger to me

My mother placed him, so fresh

Like a baby in my hands - on my fifth year.

I still carry him - so fresh he is,

In the shape of a cat,

His nose, like a red cherry

Smells so good.

Don't tell my mother!

She is working!

No. I did not eat him. How can I?

I pinched his ears,

“More! more!” asked my tastebuds,

“Nevermore” I said.

Fifteen years feels like yesterday,

I still say the same.

Birthday is not a day to remember,

But to celebrate - with friends and family.

I looked around and smiled

Empty tables and chairs,

never laid their eyes on me.

Fifteen years feels like yesterday,

I smiled and smiled,

To remind my birthday.

I forgot to smile.

Not only 'tis my birthday,

My brother's too!

So lucky is he - at least

the mice peeped at him.

I blew candles for him,

Singing the song - the birthday song,

For him - so lucky he is.

It is a pleasant day

For the mice, it seems.

I took off his nose

the cherry is too old for the mice.

It ran away.

Again, we are left alone

Both of us melt together.

He can fit inside the fridge.

So lucky he is!

-Anish Baskar